Brain single photon emission computed tomography findings in depressive pseudodementia patients

BACKGROUND: Recently, there have been studies suggesting that depressive pseudodementia would include early-stage dementing disorder. Through the comparison of the 99mTc-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image of depressive pseudodementia subjects, healthy comparison subjects, depressed subjects free of cognitive impairment, and dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) subjects, we aimed to see part of pathophysiology of the depressive pseudodementia of elderly patients. METHODS: Study subjects consisted of seven patients with depressive pseudodementia, seven healthy comparison subjects, seven patients with depression free of cognitive impairment, and eleven patients with DAT. Depression patients were diagnosed according to DSM-III-R. DAT patients were diagnosed by DSM III-R and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria of DAT. Other measures for assessment include Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Mini Mental State Exam. All underwent 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT scan. The images of each group were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping of Friston, which compares the images on voxel-by-voxel basis. RESULTS: The results were as follows (1) The DAT group showed significant decreases of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the right frontal, right temporal region, and both parietal regions as compared with control group (P < 0.05). (2) The depression group showed a significant decrease of CBF in the left frontal region as compared with control group (P < 0.05). (3) The depressive pseudodementia group showed significant decreases of CBF in both parietal regions as compared with control group (P < 0.05). (4) The depressive pseudodementia group showed significant decreases of CBF in the right temporal region and both parietal regions as compared with depression group (P < 0.05). (5) The DAT group showed significant decreases of CBF in the right temporal region, both frontal regions, and both parietal regions as compared with depressive pseudodementia group (P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: The small number of subjects may make it difficult to generalize from our results. Because decreased CBF in depressive pseudodementia is found while the subjects were depressed, we cannot tell whether it is a state marker or a trait marker. CONCLUSIONS: The depressive pseudodementia group showed decreased CBF in the temporo-parietal region, similar to that of the DAT group and different from that of the depression group.     

Gender differences in heritability of depressive symptoms in the elderly

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms in the elderly. METHOD: Depressive symptoms were assessed through the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. The CES-D scale was administered to 959 twin pairs (123 female MZs, 90 male MZs, 207 same-sex female DZs, 109 same-sex male DZs and 430 opposite-sex DZs) aged 50 years or older (mean age 72 years). A dichotomous depressed state variable was constructed based on CES-D cut-offs and self-reported use of antidepressant medication. Structural equation models were fitted to the data to dissect genetic and environmental variance components. RESULTS: The sex-specific heritability estimates for depressive symptoms were 14% for males and 29% for females and 23% when constrained to be equal for men and women. The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was 16% for men and 24% for women. Heritability estimates for the dichotomous depressed state measure were 7% for males and 49% for females in the full model and 33% when constrained to be equal. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that depressive symptoms in the elderly are moderately heritable, with a higher heritability for women than men, although differences in heritability estimates were not statistically significant.     

Electroencephalographic frontal asymmetry and depressive symptoms in the elderly

Although neurophysiological changes of aging are well known, there is still much to learn about cortical asymmetry in older depressed subjects. This study aimed at assessing differences between depressed and normal elderly subjects on alpha asymmetry, and to observe the correlations of this measure with depressive symptoms and quality of life. Thirty-six subjects (14 normal and 22 depressed) were assessed by EEG, depression rating scales, and SF-36. Despite the fact that compared to healthy elderly, depressive elderly subjects showed relatively greater right frontal activity (F4F3) and relatively greater left parietal activity (P4P3); this difference was not significant. The relationship between depression and frontal asymmetry was better observed in healthy elderly, where relatively greater left frontal activity was associated with less depressive symptoms.     

Electroencephalographic frontal asymmetry and depressive symptoms in the elderly

Although neurophysiological changes of aging are well known, there is still much to learn about cortical asymmetry in older depressed subjects. This study aimed at assessing differences between depressed and normal elderly subjects on alpha asymmetry, and to observe the correlations of this measure with depressive symptoms and quality of life. Thirty-six subjects (14 normal and 22 depressed) were assessed by EEG, depression rating scales, and SF-36. Despite the fact that compared to healthy elderly, depressive elderly subjects showed relatively greater right frontal activity (F4F3) and relatively greater left parietal activity (P4P3); this difference was not significant. The relationship between depression and frontal asymmetry was better observed in healthy elderly, where relatively greater left frontal activity was associated with less depressive symptoms.     

老年期抑郁症核心症状群的特尔菲法研究

目的:探讨在我国文化背景下老年期抑郁症的临床核心症状群,在此基础上制定症状清单.方法:采用文献法初步筛选出老年期抑郁症核心症状,并对各症状给予描述性定义.在此基础上采用专家咨询法(Delpbi法),按专家纳入标准严格选择咨询专家,最终选择中国大陆及香港、台湾地区30名老年精神科临床专家与老年心理学专家.进行两轮专家咨询,筛选出专家认可的老年期抑郁症核心症状群及其描述性定义.结果:筛选了12个有关老年期抑郁症核心症状条目,按症状重要程度的算数均数大小排列依次为(数值越大,表示专家认为该症状条目越重要)郁闷(9.57)、兴趣减退(9.43)、轻生观念或行为(9.36)、自责(9.00)、缺乏愉快体验(8.79)、无助绝望(8.57)、焦虑不安(8.29)、睡眠紊乱(8.21)、疲乏感(8.21)、躯体不适(8.07)、食欲或体重改变(8.00)、懒散迟缓(7.86).结论:专家咨询法筛选出郁闷、兴趣减退、轻生观念或行为等12个条目为老年期抑郁症临床核心症状群,并确定各症状条目的描述性定义.     

Course and outcome of major depressive disorder in non-referred adolescents

BACKGROUND: Although major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common disorders in adolescence, little is known about its course and outcome in non-referred adolescents. Therefore, the aims of this article were to examine the course and outcome of MDD in non-referred adolescents, and to examine factors related to its stability. METHODS: Five hundred and twenty-three adolescents were interviewed twice at an interval of about 15 months using the computerized Munich version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: Of the 90 adolescents who met the diagnosis of MDD at T1, 22 (24.4%) still met the same diagnosis at T2. Sixty-eight (75.6%) of them no longer met the diagnosis of MDD at T2, and in some of these cases, their depression was replaced by several other disorders; 44 adolescents received no diagnostic criteria for any DSM-IV disorders. The factors that were significantly associated with the stability of MDD included the presence of substance use disorders and parental alcohol problems, negative life events and negative coping, past suicidal attempt, suicidal thought, and concrete suicidal plan at the T1-interview. Adolescents with "chronic" (T1 and T2) compared to "transient" (only T1) MDD and those without any disorders were significantly more impaired in various life domains. LIMITATIONS: This study was based on a small number of adolescents with a chronic MDD. CONCLUSIONS: The course and outcome of MDD in majority of the adolescents seemed to have a favourable course, whereas in some adolescents, it tended to have a heterogeneous pattern.     

Long-term outcome in open spina bifida.

BACKGROUND: Doctors need reliable data on outcome in order to help parents faced with difficult decisions about termination of an affected pregnancy or treatment after birth. AIM: To determine survival, health and lifestyle at the mean age of 30 years in a complete cohort of adults born with open spina bifida. DESIGN OF STUDY: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Well-documented cohort of 117 consecutive cases of open spina bifida whose backs were closed non-selectively at birth between 1963 and 1971. METHOD: Survivors (age range = 26 to 33 years) were surveyed by postal questionnaire and telephone interview. The main outcome measures were the health, independence and lifestyle of the survivors in terms of living in the community, driving a car and working in open employment. RESULTS: Ascertainment was 100%. Sixty (51%) had died, mainly the most disabled. Of the 57 survivors, 84% had a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt, 70% had an IQ of 80 or more, 37% lived independently in the community, 39% drove a car, 30% could walk more than 50 metres and 26% were in open employment. However one-third (19) still needed daily care, three were on respiratory support, two were blind, two had diabetes mellitus, and one was on dialysis. Mortality, disability and achievement reflected the neurological deficit that had been recorded in infancy in terms of sensory level. Attainment and independence were reduced in those who had needed revision of CSF shunt. CONCLUSION: The survivors in this unselected cohort showed a wide range of outcome from apparent normality to very severe disability. This reflected both the extent of their original neurological deficit and events in the history of their CSF shunt.     

Psychosocial predictors of outcome in subjects with untreated depressive disorder

Untreated community volunteers (n = 66) with a significant reactive or neurotic depressive disorder were assessed at interview to determine predictors of improvement at 6 and at 20 weeks. The degree to which subjects improved by 6 weeks could be predicted by their pattern of improvement one week after initial interview and more definitely at the third week. Key baseline predictors of improvement both at 6 and at 20 week were the break-up of an intimate relationship in the preceding 12 months and weight loss, replicating findings in a study of depressive patients receiving psychiatric assessment and psychotherapy. Other isolated variables appeared to be predictors more of response to the non-specific therapeutic effects of the assessment process.     

Long-term outcome of presymptomatic testing in Huntington disease

Our study on long-term outcome of presymptomatic testing for Huntington disease had two aims: the comparison of the psychological well-being and social adjustment of carriers and non-carriers of the mutation, and the identification of psychological determinants to improve care/support of testees. We performed a cross-sectional study of 351 persons who underwent presymptomatic testing. Those who had motor signs were excluded from the comparison of asymptomatic carrier and non-carriers. A structured interview including five self-report scales and the MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory) was proposed to detect a psychopathology or problem with social adjustment.We interviewed 119 testees (53%), 62 non-carriers and 57 carriers after a mean delay of 3.7 years (range: 0.32 to 8.9) after their result. Depression was frequent in asymptomatic carriers (58%). Interestingly, the self reported impact of the test showed that 27% of non-carriers did not cope well with a favourable result, and a significant percentage of non-carriers (24%) were depressed during follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that only a previous episode of depression was predictive of depression after genetic testing in both carriers and non-carriers of the HD mutation (P<0.0001).Psychological support is necessary for all testees regardless of the result of their presymptomatic test, because psychiatric care is often needed by both carriers and non-carriers.     

Reactive and endogenous depressive illness and five-year outcome

Data on severe life events and major difficulties, collected by the Bedford College method from a consecutive series of 71 in-patients, diagnosed as suffering from depression using the Present State Examination, was used in order to divide the sample into those having endogenous and reactive illnesses. There was no distinctive clinical picture associated with either diagnosis and there were no important differences on any of the measures of outcome obtained from a postal and case note follow-up 5 years later. A similar comparison of reactive depressive psychosis and non-reactive depressive psychosis likewise produced no outstanding differences in clinical picture nor outcome.     

Predictors for 2-year outcome of major depressive episode

In this 2-year prospective study, we searched for predictive factors influencing the 2-year outcome of major depressive episodes. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, employment), illness-related variables (severity, age at onset, number and duration of previous episodes), personality characteristics (DSM-IV personality disorders, trait anxiety, coping style), life context factors (life events before and during the depressive episode, social support, social adjustment), and biological markers (dexamethasone suppression test, thyroid stimulating hormone levels) of 117 inpatients with major depressive episode were assessed. A structural equation model was used to test the proposed correlational structure of the relevant variables. The non-remission of the depressive symptoms by the end of a 6-week acute treatment phase was found to be the most relevant factor predicting sustained non-remission at the end of a 2-year follow-up period. At the end of the sixth week, the severity of depression depended on the level of social support and on the severity of depression at baseline. Among the baseline variables, anxious personality traits and a lower level of education predicted a high level of depressive symptoms at the end of the 2-year follow-up. Life events before and during the depressive episode, and the biological markers at baseline had no direct effect on the outcome. The rapid remission of the depressive symptoms is the most important predictor for the favorable long-term outcome of a depressive episode. Personality characteristics, social support and level of education,--interacting with each other--also play a significant role.     

The long-term outcome of a depressive population in a Hungarian material

The authors made a follow-up study among 118 depressive patients. The follow-up period was 11 years (mean 7.8 years). They have used the operational criteria elaborated by Lee and Murray. The suicide rate was 2.54%, calculated for annual average per 100000 inhabitants is 231.5. This figure is close to ten times higher (9.7) than the annual suicide rate of the general population of the district from the patients who were admitted (23.8). They found 'very good outcome' 25.4%, 'moderate outcome not readmitted' 42.4%, 'moderate outcome readmitted' 13.6% and 'very poor outcome' 13.6%. They summarised the available literature.     

Long-term outcome of vocal cord dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an involuntary functional disorder commonly misdiagnosed as asthma. Previous reports describe the disorder and treatment but not the long-term outcome. OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcome of VCD. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review identified 49 patients, ages 8 to 25 years, diagnosed as having VCD from 1989 to 2002. Telephone contact was attempted in all. RESULTS: Of the 49 patients, 41 had previously been treated for asthma; that diagnosis was confirmed by us as a comorbidity in only 12 patients. Two distinct phenotypes of VCD were observed. Symptoms were limited to exercise-induced VCD (EIVCD) in 29 and spontaneously occurring VCD (SVCD) in 20, only 4 of whom additionally had EIVCD. Twenty-eight of the 49 were successfully contacted by telephone. Eight of the 11 contacted patients with SVCD followed the recommendation to see our speech therapist, all of whom learned to control symptoms. However, 2 who also had EIVCD continued with that problem. Pretreatment with an anticholinergic inhaler prevented EIVCD in 6 patients in whom this was tried. Complete absence of symptoms, at times ranging from 1 week to 5 years (median, 5 months), was reported in 26 of the 28 contacted patients. CONCLUSIONS: VCD continues to be frequently misdiagnosed as asthma. Two phenotypes of VCD are apparent: EIVCD and SVCD. Speech therapy provides relief of symptoms for SVCD. Prevention of EIVCD with an anticholinergic inhaler in 6 patients suggests that a controlled clinical trial is warranted. Regardless of treatment, eventual spontaneous resolution was common.     

Lower urinary tract symptoms and depressive symptoms in elderly men

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on clinically significant depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese men aged 65 and above. METHODS: In a large prospective cohort of 2000 Chinese men aged 65 to 92 years of age in Hong Kong, the association between moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms and clinically relevant depressive symptoms was studied. After excluding men with prostate or bladder cancer or surgery, 1980 subjects provided response to a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and physical examination. A case-control analysis was performed, comparing subjects with clinically relevant depressive symptoms (cases) to those without depressive symptoms (controls). RESULTS: In multiple analyses adjusting for all factors that were shown to be significantly associated with having clinically relevant depressive symptoms in the initial bivariate analyses, being widowed, divorced or single were associated with increased risk of having clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Having a history of cardiac disease, being a current smoker and the use of corticosteroid were also associated with increased risk. Having moderate to severe LUTS was significantly associated with increased odds of having clinically relevant depressive symptoms (OR: 2.40; CI: 1.68-3.43) even after adjustment. LIMITATION: This study was cross-sectional and there were no clinician-based diagnostic interviews that were conducted to diagnose clinical depression and thus only clinically relevant depressive symptoms were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly men, moderate to severe LUTS are important public health problems that are associated with increased risk of having clinically relevant depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that physicians who deal with patients with moderate to severe LUTS should consider the psychological health of their patients as this population is at risk of having clinically relevant depressive symptoms.