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Late life depression and structural brain changes: A review of recent magnetic resonance imaging research
Author(s) -
Baldwin R. C.
Publication year - 1993
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.930080203
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , depression (economics) , white matter , etiology , late life depression , psychology , neuroscience , neuroimaging , medicine , psychiatry , radiology , cognition , economics , macroeconomics
Recent findings using magnetic resonance imaging to investigate late life depression have reported an unexpectedly high prevalence of white matter and other structural brain changes, suggesting a possible organic aetiology to the disorder in a proportion of cases. These findings are examined critically and it is concluded that their significance is not yet clear, although they may reflect underlying cerebrovascular change. A lack of postmortem data constitutes a major deficiency in this area of enquiry. An approach combining structural and dynamic imaging with postmortem examination would be the best strategy for future research.