Structural neuroimaging research methods in geriatric depression.

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