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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Adrian Lloyd, Emeritus Professor Nicol Ferrier, Dr Robert Barber, Dr Anil Gholkar OBE, Professor Allan Young, Professor John O'Brien
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Background: Evidence for structural hippocampal change in depression is limited despite reports of neuronal damage due to hypercortisolaemia and vascular pathology. Aims: To compare hippocampal and white matter structural change in demographically matched controls and participants with early-onset and late-onset depression. Method: High-resolution volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and rating of MRI hyperintensities. Results: A total of 51 people with depression and 39 control participants were included. Participants with late-onset depression had bilateral hippocampal atrophy compared with those with early- onset depression and controls. Hippocampal volumes did not differ between control participants and those with early- onset depression. Age of depression onset correlated (negatively) with hippocampal volume but lifetime duration of depression did not. Hyperintensity ratings did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Results suggest that acquired biological factors are of greater importance in late- than in early-onset illness and that pathological processes other than exposure to hypercortisolaemia of depression underlie hippocampal atrophy in depression of late life.
Author(s): Lloyd AJ, Ferrier IN, Barber R, Gholkar A, Young AH, O'Brien JT
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of Psychiatry
Year: 2004
Volume: 184
Issue: 6
Pages: 488-495
Print publication date: 01/06/2004
ISSN (print): 0007-1250
ISSN (electronic): 1472-1465
Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.184.6.488
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.184.6.488
PubMed id: 15172942
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