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Psychiatric correlates of MR deep white matter lesions in probable Alzheimer's disease
O L Lopez1, J T Becker, C F Reynolds
1Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
The authors examined the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and the presence of of MR deep white matter lesions (DWMLs) in 28 probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with mild to moderate dementia. The difference in frequency of psychiatric symptoms between patients with and without DWMLs was not statistically significant. However, MR global scores of severity correlated with the presence of ideational disturbances (such as low self-esteem and suicidal ideation). Analysis of specific cerebral regions indicated that the highest correlation occurred in the frontal white matter. Thus, DWMLs are correlated with specific symptoms of depression in AD. Whether DWMLs are etiologically related to these symptoms remains to be determined.
Insights
Deep white matter lesions (DWMLs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) correlate with depressive symptoms, particularly in the frontal lobe. Further research is needed to understand the causal link between these lesions and psychiatric issues in AD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Psychiatric symptoms are common in AD patients.
- Deep white matter lesions (DWMLs) are frequently observed in AD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between psychiatric symptoms and the presence and severity of MR-detected DWMLs in probable AD patients.
- To explore the correlation between specific psychiatric symptoms and DWMLs in different cerebral regions.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging was used to identify and quantify DWMLs.
- 28 probable AD patients with mild to moderate dementia were assessed for psychiatric symptoms.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine correlations between DWMLs and psychiatric symptoms.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in the overall frequency of psychiatric symptoms was found between patients with and without DWMLs.
- A significant correlation was observed between MR global scores of DWML severity and the presence of ideational disturbances, including low self-esteem and suicidal ideation.
- The strongest correlation between DWMLs and ideational disturbances was found in the frontal white matter.
Conclusions:
- DWMLs are associated with specific depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease patients.
- The findings suggest a potential link between white matter integrity in the frontal lobe and the manifestation of certain psychiatric symptoms in AD.
- The etiological relationship between DWMLs and these psychiatric symptoms requires further investigation.