Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe in patients with major depression

Becker, Georg; Struck, Michael; Bogdahn, Ulrich; Becker, Thomas

doi:10.1016/0925-4927(94)90002-7

Cited by 71 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The surrounding parenchyma of the brainstem exhibits low echogenicity and is surrounded by the hyperechogenic basal cisterns [5,6,8]. TCS was carried out by two investigators independently who were both unaware of the psychiatric status, patient medication, and MRI findings.…”

Section: Transcranial Sonographymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Special attention was paid to the echogenicity and echotexture of the mesencephalic and pontine midline and the basal ganglia. Details of the TCS technique and ultrasound anatomy regarding the substantia nigra and the basal ganglia have been reported previously [5][6][7][8][9]50].…”

Section: Transcranial Sonographymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from psychological effects due to the burden of neurological impairment, organic factors are believed to be relevant for the pathogenesis of depression in PD [39]. Recent transcranial sonography (TCS) studies have provided evidence of structural brainstem alterations in patients with unipolar depression [5,8] and in PD patients with depression [9]. These studies report the echogenicity of the mesencephalic midline (raphe) to be significantly lower than that in nondepressed patients.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Depression in Parkinson's disease: brainstem midline alteration on transcranial sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Berg¹,

Supprian

Hofmann

et al. 1999

Journal of Neurology

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109

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Recent studies using transcranial sonography (TCS) have provided evidence of alterations in the mesencephalic midline structures in patients with unipolar depression and depression in Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting an involvement of the basal limbic system in primary and secondary mood disorders. This study tested the hypothesis of brainstem midline abnormality in depression and investigated 31 PD patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TCS. Signal intensity of the pontine and mesencephalic brainstem midline was rated on T2-weighted images and measured by relaxometry. In addition, two blinded investigators assessed the echogenicity of the brainstem midline by TCS. The severity of motor symptoms and depression were graded independently using standard research scales. Rating of signal intensity and T2 relaxometry of the pontomesencephalic midline structures revealed significant difference between depressed and nondepressed PD patients (P < 0.05). This corresponded to a significant reduction in mesencephalic midline echogenicity of depressed PD patients on TCS images. No correlation was found between raphe signal intensity, T2 relaxation times, or TCS echogenicity and the severity of motor symptoms or depression. This study is the first to show changes in signal intensity and T2 relaxation time of the pontomesencephalic midline structures on MRI in depressed PD patients confirming previous TCS findings. As these midline structures comprise fiber tracts and nuclei of the basal limbic system, the findings may support the hypothesis of an alteration in the basal limbic system in mood disorders.

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Section: Transcranial Sonographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Transcranial Sonographymentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Depression in Parkinson's disease: brainstem midline alteration on transcranial sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Berg¹,

Supprian

Hofmann

et al. 1999

Journal of Neurology

Self Cite

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This assumption is supported by several neurobiological studies. Neuroimaging data, performed using transcranial sonography [12][13][14][15], magnetic-resonance imaging [15] and positron emission tomography [16], have indicated similarities of brain pathology in PD and MD. In addition, genetic association studies [17][18][19][20] and biochemical studies [21][22][23][24] of the basal limbic system suggest similar changes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychopathological Symptoms of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease Compared to Major Depression

Merschdorf¹,

Berg

Csóti³

et al. 2003

Psychopathology

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Parkinson’s disease is frequently associated with depressive symptoms. When depression occurs at early stages and before the onset of characteristic motor symptoms of the disease, differential diagnosis of major depression may be difficult. Differences in psychopathological features of depression in Parkinson’s disease and major depression have been reported by some authors. This study presents data of 49 patients with depression in Parkinson’s disease and 38 patients with major depression. The severity of depressive symptoms was equivalent in both groups. Depressive features did not differ between the two groups with exception of affective flattening, delusional ideas and suicide attempts. In conclusion, this investigation gives support to the assumption of a common neurobiological origin of depression in Parkinson’s disease and major depression.

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“…Significant correlation was seen between severity of depression and the lesion load in the temporal lobes, more marked in the right side. Transcranial sonography provided no evidence for structural abnormalities of the ponto-mesencephalic midline as has been seen in patients with unipolar depression as well as in Parkinson's disease patients with depression 29,30 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Interferon beta-1a-induced depression and suicidal ideation in multiple sclerosis

Lana-Peixoto

Teixeira

Haase

2002

Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr.

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-Depression and suicide have been reported in association with multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies show that interferon beta may increase the depression rate. We report a case of depression and suicidal ideation in coincidence with the start of increased doses of interferon beta-1a and their complete reversal following the drug withdrawal. The patient was a 21-year-old man with MS and no past history of affective disorders who was given interferon beta-1a in the dose of 11 µg three times per week. As a new relapse occurred the dose of interferon beta-1a was increased to 22 µg three times a week. The patient then observed increased worry, irritability and a sense of discouragement as well as recurring suicidal thoughts. His mood was rapidly restored following interferon beta-1a withdrawal. This case suggests that patients with MS may develop depression and suicidal thoughts when treated with high doses of interferon beta-1a.KEY WORDS: multiple sclerosis, interferon beta-1a, depression, suicidal ideation. Depressão e idéias suicidas induzidas por interferon beta-1a na esclerose múltiplaRESUMO -Depressão e idéias suicidas são relatados na esclerose múltipla (EM). Alguns estudos demonstram que interferon beta pode aumentar sua freqüência. Relatamos o caso de um jovem de 21 anos com EM, sem história pregressa de distúrbios psiquiátricos, que vinha usando interferon beta-1a na dose de 11 µg três vezes por semana, com boa tolerância. A dose foi aumentada para 22 µg três vezes por semana após um novo surto. O paciente observou o aparecimento de fenômenos depressivos e idéias suicidas coincidindo com o aumento da dose. A suspensão da droga foi acompanhada de desaparecimento completo desses sintomas. Seis meses após a retirada do interferon beta-1a, o paciente se encontra em uso de acetato de glatiramer, não tendo mais apresentado qualquer fenômeno depressivo ou pensamentos suicidas. Este caso sugere que pacientes com EM podem desenvolver depressão e pensamentos suicidas quando tratados com doses elevadas de interferon beta-1a.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: esclerose múltipla, interferon beta-1a, depressão, idéias suicidas.

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Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe in patients with major depression

Cited by 71 publications

References 28 publications

Depression in Parkinson's disease: brainstem midline alteration on transcranial sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Depression in Parkinson's disease: brainstem midline alteration on transcranial sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Psychopathological Symptoms of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease Compared to Major Depression

Interferon beta-1a-induced depression and suicidal ideation in multiple sclerosis

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