Frontal dysfunction underlies depressive syndrome in Alzheimer disease: a FDG-PET study

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006 Jul;14(7):625-8. doi: 10.1097/01.JGP.0000214541.79965.2d.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the regional cerebral dysfunction associated with depressive syndrome in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Method: Twelve patients with AD with depressive syndrome (ADD) and 12 age-, gender-, and severity-matched patients with AD without depressive syndrome (ADND) underwent FDG-PET scanning. The regional cerebral glucose metabolism in the two groups was compared using a voxel-based method.

Results: The ADD group showed lower glucose metabolism in the right superior frontal gyrus than the ADND group.

Conclusions: These results indicate that frontal dysfunction, known to be associated with primary or other secondary depressive syndromes, underlies the depressive syndrome of patients with AD patients as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnostic imaging*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / pharmacokinetics*
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism*
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18