Pharmacopsychiatry 2005; 38 - A062
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-918684

Hippocampal and amygdala volume changes in patients with major depression and healthy controls during a three year follow-up

TS Frodl 1, T Zetzsche 1, G Schmitt 1, T Schlossbauer 2, MW Jäger 3, R Bottlender 3, M Reiser 4, HJ Möller 1, E Meisenzahl 1
  • 1Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität LMU München, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, München
  • 2Klinik für Radiologie, München
  • 3Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München
  • 4Klinik für Radiologie der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München

Aims: The hippocampus has been found to be smaller in patients with depression. The stress-toxicity hypothesis postulated that the hippocampale volumes will be altered due to neurotoxic effects during the depressive episode. However, prospective longitudinal in vivo studies are necessary to investigate whether depression can result in a further diminution of hippocampal volumes or whether a smaller hippocampal volume predisposes an individual to the development of depression. METHOD: Thirty patients with m ajor depression as well as thirty healthy control subjects matched for age, gender and handedness were examined at admission to hospital and three years later by high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS and Discussion: The results are presented and will be discussed with respect to the stress-toxicity- and the BDNF-hypotheses.