Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BackgroundLate-life sub-threshold depressive symptoms (i.e. depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder) are associated with impaired physical health and function, and increased risk of major depressive disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies examining late-life major depressive disorder find structural brain changes in grey and white matter. However, the extent to which late-life sub-threshold depression is associated with similar hallmarks is not well established.MethodsParticipants with no history of major depressive disorder were selected from the Whitehall Imaging Sub-Study (n=358, mean age 69±5 years, 17% female). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at three previous Whitehall II Study phases (2003-04, 2007-09 and 2012-13) and at the time of the MRI scan (2012-14). The relationships between current and cumulative depressive symptoms and MRI brain measures were explored using Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) for grey matter and Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) for white matter.ResultsCurrent sub-threshold depressive symptoms were associated with significant reductions in fractional anisotropy and increases in axial and radial diffusivity. There were no significant relationships between current depressive symptoms and grey matter measures, or cumulative depressive symptoms and MRI measures.LimitationsThe prevalence (10%) of sub-threshold depressive symptoms means that analyses may be underpowered to detect subtle differences in brain structure.ConclusionsCurrent sub-threshold depressive symptoms are associated with changes in white matter microstructure, indicating that even mild depressive symptoms are associated with similar MRI hallmarks to those in major depressive disorder.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2016.06.049

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of affective disorders

Publication Date

11/2016

Volume

204

Pages

219 - 225

Addresses

Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Charlotte.allan@ntw.nhs.uk.

Keywords

Brain, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cohort Studies, Depression, Anisotropy, Aged, Middle Aged, Female, Male, White Matter, Gray Matter