BackgroundAn increased incidence of brain white-matter hyperintensities has been
described in major depressive disorder, but the impact of such
hyperintensities on treatment outcome is still controversial.AimsTo investigate the relationship of brain white-matter hyperintensities
with cardiovascular risk factors and with treatment outcome in younger
people with major depressive disorder.MethodWe assessed brain white-matter hyperintensities and cardiovascular risk
factors in 84 people with major depressive disorder prior to initiating
antidepressanttreatment. We also assessed hyperintensities in 35 matched
controls.ResultsWe found no significant difference in the prevalence of white-matter
hyperintensities between the depression and the control groups.
Left-hemisphere subcortical hyperintensities correlated with lower rates
of treatment response. We found no correlation between global
hyperintensity measures and clinical outcome. Brain white-matter
hyperintensities correlated with hypertension and age and with total
cardiovascular risk score.ConclusionsSubcortical white-matter hyperintensities in the left hemisphere (but not
in other brain areas) may be associated with poor response to
antidepressant treatment in major depression.
Brain white-matter hyperintensities and treatment outcome in
major depressive disorder
