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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
White matter integrity and late-life depression in community-dwelling individuals: diffusion tensor imaging study
Simone Reppermund1, Lin Zhuang1, Wei Wen1
1Simone Reppermund, PhD, Lin Zhuang, PhD, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney; Wei Wen, PhD, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales and Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney; Melissa J. Slavin, PhD, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney; Julian N. Trollor, MD, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney; Henry Brodaty, MD, DSc, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales and Aged Care Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney; Perminder S. Sachdev, MD, PhD, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney and Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Reduced white matter integrity is linked to current late-life depression and predicts future symptoms. A history of depression, however, did not show this association, suggesting white matter changes may be a key biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Late-life depression is often associated with white matter changes.
- Previous studies primarily used the regions of interest approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between white matter integrity and depression in older adults.
- To investigate both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations using diffusion tensor imaging.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging with tract-based spatial statistics was applied to 381 individuals (72-92 years).
- White matter integrity was compared between depressed and non-depressed individuals, and those with/without a history of depression.
- Logistic regression analyzed the prediction of future depressive symptoms by white matter integrity.
Main Results:
- Current depression was associated with widespread white matter integrity reduction, particularly in frontal lobe areas.
- Specific white matter regions (superior frontal gyrus, posterior thalamic radiation, etc.) predicted future depression.
- A history of depression was not linked to reduced white matter integrity.
Conclusions:
- Reduced white matter integrity is a significant correlate and predictor of late-life depression.
- White matter integrity disruption may serve as a biomarker for predicting depression in older adults.
- Past depression history is not associated with current white matter integrity changes.
