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The relationships between brain structural changes and perceived loneliness in older adults suffering from late‐life depression
Author(s) -
Sin Emily L.L.,
Liu HoLing,
Lee ShwuHua,
Huang ChihMao,
Wai YauYau,
Chen YaoLiang,
Chan Chetwyn C.H.,
Lin Chemin,
Lee Tatia M.C.
Publication year - 2018
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.4831
Subject(s) - loneliness , depression (economics) , late life depression , psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , cognition , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Late‐life depression is a significant health risk factor for older adults, part of which is perceived loneliness. In this voxel‐based morphometry study, we examined the relationships between perceived loneliness and depression recurrence. Methods Fifty‐two older adults were recruited, and they were split into 3 groups: single episode, multiple episodes, or normal control groups, according to their clinical histories. Results This result suggests the level of functioning regarding the reward system may be negatively related to the number of depressive episodes. Taken together, the findings of this study offer important insight into the neural underpinnings of the course and chronicity of late‐life depression.