Association between white matter hyperintensity and anxiety/depression
Ruixue Zhou1, Qingqing Cai1, Chen Liu1
1Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center of Endemic Disease and Health Promotion for Silk Road Region, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|April 11, 2024
Summary
This study found that increased white matter hyperintensity volume is linked to a higher risk of depression. Periventricular white matter hyperintensity was also associated with self-reported anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous research on white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and psychiatric disorders has yielded inconsistent results due to small sample sizes.
- Understanding the association between WMH and mental health is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the association between white matter hyperintensity volume and depression and anxiety in a large cohort.
- To differentiate the impact of periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensity on psychiatric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the UK Biobank, including general linear regression, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard models.
- Assessed anxiety using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 score and self-report, and depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score and self-report.
- Adjusted for multiple covariates including age, gender, BMI, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities.
Main Results:
- White matter hyperintensity volume showed a significant association with both General Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores.
- Periventricular white matter hyperintensity volume was significantly associated with self-reported anxiety.
- Larger white matter hyperintensity volume, particularly periventricular, was linked to an increased risk of depression.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a positive association between white matter hyperintensity volume and depression.
- The study highlights the role of white matter integrity in the pathophysiology of depression.
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