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Relationship between periventricular and deep white matter lesions and depressive symptoms in older people. The LADIS Study
Author(s) -
Krishnan Mani S,
O'Brien John T,
Firbank Michael J,
Pantoni Leonardo,
Carlucci Giovanna,
Erkinjuntti Timo,
Wallin Anders,
Wahlund LarsOlof,
Scheltens Philip,
van Straaten Elisabeth C.W.,
Inzitari Domenico
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1596
Subject(s) - hyperintensity , depression (economics) , medicine , stroke (engine) , white matter , logistic regression , leukoaraiosis , psychology , cardiology , magnetic resonance imaging , mechanical engineering , radiology , engineering , economics , macroeconomics
Background Both types of cerebral white matter hyperintensities, periventricular (PVL) and deep white matter lesions (DWML) have been previously associated with the development of depression in older subjects. However, it remains controversial as to whether PVL, DWML, or both are most strongly associated with depression and this was the aim of the current study. Methods In a pan‐European multicentre study of 626 older subjects, we examined the relationship between PVL and DWML, depressive symptoms (GDS quintile), cognitive status (MMSE), hypertension and history of stroke. Results In univariate analysis we found that depressive symptoms as assessed by GDS were associated with both types of white matter lesions (Spearman rho = 0.12 p = 0.002 for DWML and rho = 0.09 p = 0.01 for PVL). Using ordinal logistic regression analysis the total DWML score ( p = 0.041), rather than PVL ( p = 0.9) was found to predict GDS scores. Conclusions DWML, but not PVL, were most strongly associated with depressive symptoms in this sample. As DWML (unlike PVL) are associated with vascular ischaemic damage, our findings are consistent with the ‘vascular depression’ hypothesis. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the time course of these relationships, in particular, whether modifying DWML alters the natural history of depression. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.