Association of microstructural white matter abnormalities with cognitive dysfunction in geriatric patients with major depression

摘要: Major depression disorder (MDD) is one of the most common causes disability in people over 60years age. Previous studies have linked affective and cognitive symptoms MDD to white matter (WM) disruption limbic-cortical circuits. However, relationship between clinical deficits loss integrity particular WM tracts poorly understood. Fractional anisotropy (FA) as a measure was investigated 17 elderly subjects comparison with 18 age-matched controls using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) correlated parameters. patients revealed significantly reduced FA right posterior cingulate cluster (PCC) compared controls. PCC (but not left PCC) showed significant positive correlation performance verbal naming task, non-significant trend toward fluency episodic memory performance. In control subjects, no correlations were found tasks values either or PCC. Results provide additional evidence supporting neuronal disconnection hypothesis suggest that are related associated disorder.