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Association between cerebral artery stenosis and depressive symptoms in elderly patients

Min Kang Lee1, Seung Woo Kim1, Hyewon Kim2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|June 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral artery stenosis, particularly in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA), is linked to increased depressive symptoms in older adults. Bilateral MCA stenosis correlates with greater depression severity.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Geriatrics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Depressive symptoms are common in elderly patients.
  • Cerebral artery stenosis is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cerebral artery stenosis and depressive symptoms in elderly individuals.
  • To determine if specific locations of stenosis are associated with depression severity.

Main Methods:

  • 365 elderly patients (≥65 years) diagnosed with depressive disorder were analyzed.
  • Cerebral artery stenosis was assessed using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
  • Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).

Main Results:

  • 29.6% of patients had cerebral artery stenosis.
  • Patients with stenosis showed higher GDS-15 scores (8.1) compared to those without (6.5).
  • Middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis and left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stenosis were associated with significant depressive symptoms. Bilateral MCA stenosis positively correlated with depression severity.

Conclusions:

  • Bilateral MCA stenosis and left PCA stenosis are linked to significant depressive symptoms in the elderly.
  • Bilateral MCA stenosis is associated with increased depression severity in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCerebral artery stenosisMajor depressive disorderVascular depression

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