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Compromised Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation in Patients With Depression
Ming-Ya Luo1, Zhen-Ni Guo2, Yang Qu1
1Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Chang Chun, China.
Insights
Patients with depression show impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation, a key brain function. This impairment is linked to depression severity, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for neurological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Physiology
Background:
- Depression is frequently associated with neurological symptoms, yet underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Investigating cerebral autoregulation offers a potential avenue to explore these neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize dynamic cerebral autoregulation in patients diagnosed with depression.
- To investigate the relationship between depression severity and cerebral autoregulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transfer function analysis to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation by measuring phase differences.
- Simultaneously recorded noninvasive continuous arterial blood pressure and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity.
- Enrolled participants diagnosed with depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAMD] > 17), suspected depression (HAMD > 7), and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Found significantly lower mean phase difference values in patients with depression compared to controls (P < 0.001).
- Multiple regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between depression severity and phase difference values.
- The study included 45 patients with depression, 54 with suspected depression, and 48 healthy volunteers.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic cerebral autoregulation is compromised in individuals with depression.
- The degree of impairment in cerebral autoregulation correlates negatively with depression scores.
- Enhancing dynamic cerebral autoregulation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for managing neurological symptoms in depression.
Abstract:
Background: Patients with depression tend to have various comorbid neurological symptoms, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of dynamic cerebral autoregulation in depressed patients. Methods: Patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who were diagnosed with depression [17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) > 17] or suspected of depression (HAMD > 7) were enrolled in this study. Medically healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The subjects also received the 7-item HAMD. We simultaneously recorded noninvasive continuous arterial blood pressure and bilateral middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity from each subject. Cerebral autoregulation was assessed by analyzing the phase difference using transfer function analysis. Results: This study enrolled 54 patients with suspected depression, 45 patients with depression, and 48 healthy volunteers. The mean phase difference values were significantly lower in the patients with depression (F = 9.071, P < 0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, depression was negatively correlated with the phase difference values. Conclusions: Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was compromised in patients with depression and negatively correlated with the depression score. Improving dynamic cerebral autoregulation may be a potential therapeutic method for treating the neurological symptoms of depression.
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