Association of depression duration with reduction of global cerebral gray matter volume in female patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.

Abstract

The authors investigated the relationship between depression duration and cerebral gray matter volume in female patients with recurrent major depressive disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure intracranial and total brain volumes as well as gray matter and white matter volumes of the cerebrum; frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes; cerebellum; and the lateral and third ventricles in 23 female patients with DSM-IV major depression. Correlation and regression analyses showed a significant relationship between total illness duration and cerebral gray matter (including cortical lobe) volume after correction for intracranial volume and age. Depressive states may lead to changes in global cerebral gray matter volume.