The external validity of MRI-defined vascular depression.

Objective: Multiple diagnostic criteria have been used to define vascular depression (VD). As a result, there are discrepancies in the clinical characteristics that have been established for the illness. The aim of this study was twofold.

MRI signal hyperintensities and failure to remit following antidepressant treatment.

Background: MRI signal hyperintensities predict poor remission to antidepressant treatment. Previous studies using volumetrics in outpatient samples have relied on total lesion volume. The purpose of this study was to test whether remission from geriatric depression depends on lesion volume by region of interest (ROI).

Quantitative approaches for assessment of white matter hyperintensities in elderly populations.

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are areas of increased signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including fluid attenuated inverse recovery sequences. Total and regional WMH burden (i.e.

MRI-defined vascular depression: a review of the construct.

Objective: To review the construct of MRI-defined vascular depression and to examine the substantive and methodological issues that bear on its validity as a distinct subtype of depression in late life.

Design: Literature review.

Results: We identified three areas that are critical to establishing the validity of MRI-defined vascular depression: (1) understanding and delineating the relationship between MRI hyperintensities, executive dysfunction, and antidepressant treatment outcome; (2) understanding the relationship between, and establishing the validity of, qualitative and quantitative approaches to the measurement of MRI hyperintensities (the primary feature of the proposed subtype); (3) establishing the clinical presentation and course of the subtype in the context of other late-life disorders.