Pre-morbid personality and depression following stroke

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Individual differences, particularly pre-morbid personality, are understudied in post-stroke depression.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for predicting and managing depression after stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between pre-morbid personality and other individual differences with depression following acute stroke.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study of 61 acute stroke patients.
• Utilized Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV diagnoses.
• Assessed depressive symptoms with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.
• Measured personality using Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness Personality Inventory--Revised (NEO-PI-R).

Main Results:

• Pre-morbid neuroticism significantly increased the risk of post-stroke depression (OR 3.69).
• A past history of mental disorder also conferred increased risk (OR 10.26).
• No significant association was found between lesion location and post-stroke depression.

Conclusions:

• Pre-morbid neuroticism and prior mental health history are key predictors of post-stroke depression.
• Stroke side is not a significant factor in the risk of developing depressive symptoms post-stroke.