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Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

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Vascular function in older adults with depressive disorder.

Raghupathy Paranthaman¹, Adam S Greenstein, Alistair S Burns

¹Greater Manchester West Mental Health National Health Service Trust, Royal Bolton Hospital, Farnworth, Bolton, United Kingdom. rparanthaman@gmail.com

Biological Psychiatry

|July 9, 2010

Summary

Elderly depression is linked to poorer vascular health, including reduced endothelial function and increased atherosclerosis. This suggests potential therapeutic targets for treating depression by improving blood vessel health.

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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

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Published on: June 16, 2014

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Cardiovascular Medicine
Psychiatry

Background:

Cerebrovascular disease is a significant factor in depressive disorder, particularly in older adults.
Understanding vascular function in depression is crucial for etiological insights and developing novel treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and atherosclerosis in elderly individuals with and without depressive disorder.

Main Methods:

Compared 25 elderly depressed subjects with 21 controls using pulse wave velocity, pulse wave analysis, carotid intima media thickness, and MRI.
Assessed small artery dilatation response to acetylcholine in a subset of participants.

Main Results:

Depressed subjects exhibited significantly higher carotid intima media thickness (p < .01).
A significant reduction in small artery dilatation response to acetylcholine was observed (p = .01).
Depressed individuals showed more dilated Virchow-Robin spaces in the basal ganglia (p = .01) and greater white matter lesion volume.

Conclusions:

Late-life depression is associated with impaired endothelial function and advanced atherosclerosis.
Findings suggest a link between depression, white matter hyperintensities, and basal ganglia microangiopathy.
Vasoprotective drugs warrant investigation as potential depression-modifying agents by targeting vascular health.