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A Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Technique for Inducing Post-stroke Depression in Rats
Published on: May 22, 2019
[The stroke variables assessment as a prognostic factor for post-stroke depression with the emphasis on the cerebral
Hubert Wichowicz1, Dariusz Gasecki, Jerzy Landowski
1Klinika Chorób Psychicznych i Zaburzeń Nerwicowych Katedry Chorób Psychicznych AM w Gdańsku.
Insights
Post-stroke depression risk is not linked to stroke side but may correlate with deep brain functional abnormalities. This study assessed depression in stroke survivors over six months, finding functional imaging is key.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication.
- Understanding risk factors like stroke characteristics is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risk of depression within six months after a stroke.
- To investigate the relationship between stroke variables (location, hemodynamics) and PSD.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for stroke localization.
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for functional brain assessment.
- Psychiatric follow-up at 6, 12, and 24 weeks using ICD-10 criteria for depression diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 38% of patients developed depression within the follow-up period.
- No correlation was found between stroke lateralization (left vs. right hemisphere) and PSD.
- SPECT revealed that functional abnormalities in deep brain regions correlated with affective disorders.
Conclusions:
- Stroke lateralization does not predict post-stroke depression.
- Asymmetries in regional blood flow, detected by SPECT, are associated with the occurrence of affective disorders post-stroke.
Aim:
The aim of this paper was to assess the risk for depression in a 6-month-long post stroke follow up period as related to the stroke variables (i.e. stroke localisation, haemodynamic parameters).
Method:
The stroke localisation was determined with CT and/or MRI. Subsequently all the examined individuals underwent SPECT examination. The follow up examinations were performed by the consultant psychiatrist in 6, 12 and 24 weeks subsequent to the stroke episode. The depressive episode diagnosis was established on the basis of ICD-10 diagnostic criteria.
Results:
Only right-handed patients (43 men aged 57.3 +/- 11.6 and 17 women aged 62.5 +/- 14.4) with unilateral brain lesion were examined. 23 subjects (38%) developed depression in the follow-up period. 5 women (29%) and 18 men (ca. 42%) developed a depressive episode. Only one of the observed depressive episodes met ICD-10 criteria for severe depressive episode. 10 patients suffered from moderate depressive episode and 12 subjects exhibited a mild depressive episode.
Conclusions:
The results obtained with CT and/or MRI techniques revealed no correlation between the post-stroke depression and stroke lateralisation. However the localisation of the deep brain functional abnormalities revealed with SPECT correlated with the occurrence of the affective disorders as related to the asymmetry in regional blood flow measures.
