Vertex-wise Examination of Depressive Symptom Dimensions and Brain Volumes in Older Adults
HHS Public Access Author manuscript Psychiatry Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 28.
Published in final edited form as: Psychiatry Res. 2017 February 28; 260: 70–75. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.12.008.
Vertex-wise Examination of Depressive Symptom Dimensions and Brain Volumes in Older Adults
Molly E. McLarena, Sarah M. Szymkowicza, Andrew O’Sheac,d, Adam J. Woodsb,c,d, Stephen D. Antonc , and Vonetta M. Dotson*,a,b,c
aDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville FL, 32610, USA
bDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Florida, PO Box 100244, Gainesville FL, 32610, USA
cDepartment of Aging & Geriatric Research, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
dCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Institute on Aging, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
Abstract
Differences in brain volumes have commonly been reported in older adults with both subthreshold and major depression. However, few studies have examined the association between specific symptom dimensions of depression and brain volumes. This study used vertex-wise analyses to examine the association between specific symptom dimensions of depression and brain volumes in older adults with subthreshold levels of depressive symptoms. Forty-three community-dwelling adults between the ages of 55 and 81 years underwent a structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Vertex-wise analyses were conducted using Freesurfer Imaging Suite to examine the relationship between CES-D subscale scores and gray matter volumes while controlling for sex, age, and education. We found distinct associations between depressed mood, somatic symptoms, and lack of positive affect subscales with regional volumes, including primarily positive relationships in temporal regions and a negative association with the lingual gyrus. The relationship between higher depressed mood subscale scores and larger volumes in the left inferior temporal lobe withstood Monte-Carlo correction for multiple comparisons. Results from this preliminary study highlight the importance of examining depression on a symptom dimension level and identify brain regions that may be important in larger studies of depression.
Keywords: Depressive Symptoms; Symptom Dimensions; Aging; Brain; MRI; Vertex-Wise Analysis
Psychiatry Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 28.
