Three-dimensional surface mapping of the caudate nucleus in late-life depression
Source: American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
2009 Jan;17(1):4-12.
Author: MA, Aizenstein HJ, Hayashi KM, Meltzer CC, Seaman J, Reynolds III CF, Toga AW,
Thompson PM, Becker JT, the IMAGE Research Group PubMed ID: 18790876
Abstract:
Objective: To compare the volumes of the caudate nucleus, using traditional volumetry
and a three-dimensional brain mapping technique, in a group of individuals
with late-life depression and a group of age- and education-equated nondepressed
comparison subjects. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: University Medical Center
Participants: Twenty-three nondemented subjects with late-life depression and 15
age- and education-equated elderly comparison subjects (depressed mean years of
age: 70.5 5.7 SD, comparison subjects 69.9 years 6.4) with no history of
psychiatric or neurologic disease. Measurements: Structural magnetic resonance
imaging. Three-dimensional (3-D) surface models were created from manually
traced outlines of the caudate nucleus from spoiled gradient echo images. Models
were geometrically averaged across subjects and statistical maps created to localize
any regional volume differences between groups. Results: Relative to comparison
subjects, depressed subjects had significantly lower mean volumes for both the left
(p 0.029) and right (p 0.052) caudate nucleus as well as total caudate volume
(p 0.032). Total volumes were 13.1% less in the depressed group (13.5% on the left
and 12.6% on the right). 3-D maps further localized these reductions to the caudate
head. Volume reductions were correlated with depression severity, as measured by
the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Conclusion: Late-life depression is
associated with left and right caudate nucleus reduction especially in anterior
portions. Among depressed subjects, greater caudate reduction was associated with
more severe depression. These results are consistent with growing evidence that the
anterior caudate nucleus, especially the head, may be structurally and functionally
abnormal in affective disorders. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2009; 17:4 –12)