A systematic review and meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies in late-life depression.

Journal article

Gray matter abnormalities within frontal-subcortical and limbic networks are hypothesized to play a key role in the pathophysiology of late-life depression. In this work, gray matter abnormalities in late-life depression are examined in a systematic review and meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies. In the systematic review, 27 articles were identified that compared participants with late-life depression with comparison group participants, and 17 studies were suitable for inclusion in meta-analyses of volumes of the whole brain, orbitofrontal cortex, caudate, hippocampus, putamen, and thalamus. Volume reductions were detected in 7 of 15 comparisons of the hippocampus and a meta-analysis revealed a significant, but small, effect size. Although examined by fewer studies, meta-analyses also revealed significant volume reductions in the orbitofrontal cortex, putamen, and thalamus. A more systematic and comprehensive analysis of the global distribution of gray matter abnormalities, and an examination of subcortical abnormalities were identified as key areas for future research.

Authors: Sexton, C; Mackay, C; Ebmeier, K

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 184-195
• Publication date: 2013-02-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2012.10.019
• EISSN: 1545-7214
• ISSN: 1064-7481
• Language: English
• Keywords: Organ Size; Aged; Depressive Disorder; Aged, 80 and over; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Brain; Depression; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Depressive Disorder, Major; Humans; Publication Bias