Brain Lesion Volume and Neuropsychological Function Predict Efficacy of Treatment for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract

This study examined the effects of brain lesions and neuropsychological impairment on the efficacy of treatment for depression in patients with comorbid diagnoses of multiple sclerosis (MS) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Thirty patients meeting criteria for MS and MDD received 1 of 3 16-week treatments for depression and were followed for 6 months following treatment cessation. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological evaluations were also obtained. End-of-treatment Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; A. T. Beck, C. H. Ward, M. Mendelson, J. Mock, & J. Erbaugh, 1961) results residualized for baseline BDI were related to right temporal periventricular lesion volume (R2=.32, p=.002) and left temporal grey-white junction lesion volume (R2=.19, p=.02) but were not statistically related to lesion volume in any other brain region or to neuropsychological function. BDI results at 6-month follow-up, residualized for end-of-treatment BDI, were predicted by total lesion volume (R2=.22, p=.005), lesion volume in many discrete areas, and neuropsychological functioning (R2=.29, p=.0009). The effect of total lesion volume on 6-month follow-up BDI results was fully mediated by neuropsychological function.

Depression and anxiety in a Portuguese MS population: Associations with physical disability and severity of disease

“…There is evidence of significant associations between depression and MS lesions in relevant brain regions [17,[35][36][37][38]. In recent years, neuroimaging studies have shown positive associations between depression and neuroimaging correlates of structural damage in the temporal [17,[35][36][37][38] and frontal [17,35,36,38] lobes of MS patients. Similar associations have been demonstrated in cognitively intact elderly subjects and in patients suffering from other neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and vascular disorders) [39].…”

Depression and multiple sclerosis: Review of a lethal combination

“…Mohr et al reported a relationship between brain lesion volume and depression in patients with MS and major depression [52]. Patients were enrolled in one of three 16-week treatment programs.…”

Cognitive-constructivist Approach in Medical Settings: The Use of Personal Meaning Questionnaire for Neurological Patients’ Personality Investigation

“…The incidence of this disorder in MS is significantly increased both compared to other chronic diseases (Minden et al, 1987; Patten et al, 2003; Even et al, 2004) and to other neurological conditions (Rabins et al, 1986). A biologic hypothesis suggests that onset of depression in MS may be induced by temporal regions lesions secondary to the disease (Mohr et al, 2003). Besides, also specific anxiety disorders have been described in MS patients (Korostil and Feinstein, 2007).…”