Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Hoptman M, Gunning-Dixon F, Murphy C, Lim K, Alexopoulos G
Journal Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
Volume 14
Issue 10
Pagination 812-22
Date Published 10/01/2006
ISSN 1064-7481
Keywords Brain, Depressive Disorder, Major, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Research Design
Abstract Geriatric depression consists of complex and heterogeneous behaviors unlikely to be caused by a single brain lesion. However, there is evidence that abnormalities in specific brain structures and their interconnections confer vulnerability to the development of late-life depression. Structural magnetic resonance imaging methods can be used to identify and quantify brain abnormalities predisposing to geriatric depression and in prediction of treatment response. This article reviews several techniques, including morphometric approaches, study of white matter hyperintensities, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetization transfer imaging, t2 relaxography, and spectroscopy, that have been used to examine these brain abnormalities with a focus on the type of information obtained by each method as well as each method's limitations. The authors argue that the available methods provide complementary information and that, when combined judiciously, can increase the knowledge gained from neuroimaging findings and conceptually advance the field of geriatric depression.
DOI 10.1097/01.JGP.0000238588.34205.bd
PubMed ID 17001021
PubMed Central ID PMC1945049
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