title: The hippocampus and executive functions in depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between depression, hippocampus (HC), and executive dysfunctions seems complex and has been the focus of research. Recent evidence indicates a possible role of HC in executive dysfunction seen in depression. No such studies on Indian population have been done.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To look for changes in HC and executive functions in depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analytical controlled study. Sample size 50 (controls 50).
  
  
  METHODS
  Hippocampal volume and executive dysfunction was measured using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), respectively. Findings on these two parameters were compared between depressives and healthy matched controls as well as between first episode (FE) and recurrent depressives and across the severity of depression (mild, moderate, and severe).
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used for analysis. Normally distributed continuous variables were analyzed with independent t-tests. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for multiple comparisons. Categorical data were compared with χ(2) or Fisher's exact test. Clinical correlations were conducted using Pearson correlations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depressed patients had a smaller left (Lt) hippocampal volume as well as poor performance on several measures of executive functions. Smaller hippocampal volume was found even in FE. Those who had a past burden of depressive illness had an even smaller hippocampal volume. No direct correlation was found between the HC volume and cognitive dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depressive illness appears to be toxic to the HC. The relationship between HC and executive dysfunction in depression may be indirect through its functional connections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shahbaz Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Commandant, Indian Naval Hospital Ship, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Vssr
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ryali
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Indian Naval Hospital Ship, Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Pookala Shivaram
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kalpana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.affiliation: Scholar, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara, Patna, Bihar, India.
authors.forename: Shagufta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanam
keywords: Depression; executive deficits; hippocampus; magnetic resonance imaging; wisconsin card sorting test