Study Report

Reference
Citation | Hickie, 2005 PubMed |
Full Info | Hickie, I., Naismith, S., Ward, P.B., Turner, K., Scott, E., Mitchell, P., Wilhelm, K. and Parker, G. (2005) Reduced hippocampal volumes and memory loss in patients with early- and late-onset depression. Br J Psychiatry, 186, 197-202.
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Study
Hypothesis or Background |
Hippocampal volume reduction has been reported inconsistently in people with major depression. AIMS: To evaluate the interrelationships between hippocampal volumes, memory and key clinical, vascular and genetic risk factors.
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Sample Information | Totals of 66 people with depression and 20 control participants |
Method Detail | Totals of 66 people with depression and 20 control participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and clinical assessment. Measures of depression severity, psychomotor retardation, verbal and visual memory and vascular and specific genetic risk factors were collected. |
Method Keywords | magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) |
Result | Reduced hippocampal volumes occurred in older people with depression, those with both early-onset and late-onset disorders and those with the melancholic subtype. Reduced hippocampal volumes were associated with deficits in visual and verbal memory performance. |
Conclusions | Although reduced hippocampal volumes are most pronounced in late-onset depression, older people with early-onset disorders also display volume changes and memory loss. No clear vascular or genetic risk factors explain these findings. Hippocampal volume changes may explain how depression emerges as a risk factor to dementia. |

Relationships reported by
Hickie, 2005
Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
Depressed mood (depression)
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symptoms |
Hippocampus (hippocampal volumes) |
brain morphology and function |
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Reduced hippocampal volumes occurred in older people with depression, those with both early-onset and late-onset disorders and those with the melancholic subtype. |
Positive
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Visual memory (visual memory)
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cognition and behavior |
Hippocampus (hippocampal volumes) |
brain morphology and function |
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Reduced hippocampal volumes were associated with deficits in visual and verbal memory performance. |
Positive
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Verbal memory (verbal memory)
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cognition and behavior |
Hippocampus (hippocampal volumes) |
brain morphology and function |
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Reduced hippocampal volumes were associated with deficits in visual and verbal memory performance. |
Positive
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