Self-rating depression scales correlated with regional cerebral blood flow in normal volunteers

In order to investigate possible influences of satisfaction with life on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), we studied the relationship between the self-rating depression scale and rCBF in normal middle-aged volunteers. A significant inverse correlation between SDS scores and the rCBF was observed. This result was independent of the influences of risk factors for stroke and age. Our findings suggest that satisfaction in daily life is important in maintaining active levels of brain metabolism.