Hippocampal volume and the course of depressive symptoms over eight years of follow‐up. (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buddeke, J.; Kooistra, M.; Zuithoff, N. P. A.; Gerritsen, L.; Biessels, G. J.; van der Graaf, Y.; Geerlings, M. I.
• Other Names: van Petersen R. investigator.; Dinther B.G.F. investigator.; Algra A. investigator.; Doevendans P.A. investigator.; van der Graaf Y. investigator.; Grobbee D.E. investigator.; Rutten G.E.H.M. investigator.; Kappelle L.J. investigator.; Leiner T. investigator.; Moll F.L. investigator.; Visseren F.L.J. investigator.
• Is Part Of: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica. Volume 135:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: hippocampus -- depressive symptoms -- MRI -- cardiovascular -- epidemiology; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.12662
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-690X

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To estimate the association between hippocampal and total brain volume and the course of depressive symptoms over eight years of follow‐up in patients with a history of vascular disease. Method: Within the SMART‐Medea study, 636 participants (62 ± 10 years) had a 1.5‐tesla brain MRI obtaining hippocampal and total brain volumes. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 biannually during eight‐year follow‐up. Generalized estimating equation models with robust standard errors were used to assess the associations of hippocampal and total brain volumes with depressive symptoms during follow‐up adjusting for age, sex, education, and intracranial volume. An interaction term between volume and time (6‐month intervals) was included to examine whether the course of depressive symptoms differed according to hippocampal and total brain volume. Results: The mean PHQ‐9 score was 2.8 ± 3.5. Smaller hippocampal volumes were associated with an increasing course of depressive symptom levels, while larger volumes were associated with decreasing levels ( P ‐value interaction = 0.07). Smaller total brain volume was associated with consistently higher levels of depressive symptoms, but not with change in course of depressive symptoms ( P ‐value interaction = 0.45). Conclusion: Smaller hippocampal volume but not total brain volume is associated with poorer course of depressive symptoms over eight years of follow‐up.