Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

A Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Technique for Inducing Post-stroke Depression in Rats
04:38

A Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Technique for Inducing Post-stroke Depression in Rats

Published on: May 22, 2019

Severely depressed young patients have over five times increased risk for stroke: a 5-year follow-up study

Hsin-Chien Lee1, Herng-Ching Lin, Shang-Ying Tsai

  • 1Department of Psychiatry & Sleep Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Biological Psychiatry
|August 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Young adults hospitalized for depression face over five times the risk of stroke within five years. This highlights a critical link between depressive disorders and cardiovascular health in younger populations.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Depressive disorders are increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern.
  • Younger populations (18-44 years) hospitalized for depression represent a vulnerable group.
  • The long-term cardiovascular risks, specifically stroke, in this demographic are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the 5-year risk of stroke incidence in young adults hospitalized for depressive disorders.
  • To compare stroke risk between young adults with and without a history of hospitalization for depression.
  • To identify potential disparities in stroke risk associated with depressive disorders in young patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study design comparing patients hospitalized for depression (n=827) with a matched control group (n=4,135).
  • Patients were aged 18-44 years and followed for 5 years post-discharge from 1998.
  • Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to calculate adjusted stroke-free survival rates.

Main Results:

  • During the 5-year follow-up, 6.05% of depressed patients and 1.16% of non-depressed subjects experienced strokes.
  • Depressed patients exhibited a 5.43 times greater adjusted hazard of stroke compared to controls (95% CI = 3.47-8.51, p < .001).
  • This indicates a statistically significant increase in stroke risk among young adults hospitalized for depression.

Conclusions:

  • Young adults (18-44) hospitalized for depressive disorders have a significantly elevated risk of stroke.
  • The risk of stroke within 5 years of discharge is over five times higher for these patients compared to age- and gender-matched controls.
  • These findings underscore the importance of integrated care addressing both mental health and cardiovascular risk in young patients with depression.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...