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Late-life depression, heart failure and frontal white matter hyperintensity: a structural magnetic resonance imaging

J R C Almeida1, T C T F Alves, M Wajngarten

  • 1Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil. jca@websolute.com.br

Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research = Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas
|March 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study found a direct correlation between frontal white matter hyperintensities and depression severity in heart failure patients. These findings suggest a link between brain changes and depressive symptoms in cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • The link between cardiac disease and depression is established.
  • White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac disease, and late-life depression.
  • No prior studies directly examined heart failure, depression, and WMH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between heart failure, major depressive symptoms, and WMH.
  • To assess the frequency and severity of WMH in the frontal lobe in relation to depression and heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess WMH in three groups: heart failure with depression, heart failure without depression, and healthy controls.
  • A visual assessment scale focused on the frontal lobe was employed.
  • The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to quantify depressive symptoms.

Main Results:

  • No significant group differences in frontal WMH were found.
  • A significant direct correlation was observed between frontal periventricular WMH severity and depression scores in the heart failure with depression group (P=0.016).
  • No significant findings were noted in other brain regions.

Conclusions:

  • Results support the relationship between cardiovascular factors and depressive symptoms.
  • Preliminary evidence suggests frontal WMH may contribute to depression severity in cardiac disease patients.

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