Network structure of time-varying depressive symptoms through dynamic time warp analysis in late-life depression.

Objectives: Late-life major depressive disorder (MDD) can be conceptualized as a complex dynamic system. However, it is not straightforward how to analyze the covarying depressive symptoms over time in case of sparse panel data. Dynamic time warping (DTW) analysis may yield symptom networks and dimensions both at the patient and group level.

Dynamic time warp analysis of individual symptom trajectories in depressed patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) effectively improves severity scores of depression, its effects on its individual symptoms has scarcely been studied. We aimed to study which depressive symptom trajectories dynamically cluster together in individuals as well as groups of patients during ECT using Dynamic Time Warp (DTW) analysis.

Methods: We analysed the standardized weekly scores on the 25-item abbreviated version of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) in depressed patients before and during their first six weeks of ECT treatment.

Cerebellar Grey Matter Volume in Older Persons Is Associated with Worse Cognitive Functioning.

The cerebellum is increasingly recognised for its role in modulation of cognition, behaviour, and affect. The present study examined the relation between structural cerebellar damage (grey matter volume (GMV), white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), lacunar infarcts (LIs) and microbleeds (MBs)) and measures of cognitive, psychological (i.e.

Telomere length, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in elderly men in Zutphen and Crete.

The incidence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases is lower in Mediterranean Southern Europe than Northern Europe. This may be due to a lower level of oxidative stress and a higher antioxidant status in people living around the Mediterranean Sea. Oxidative stress may influence the rate of shortening of telomeres, the nucleoprotein structures at the ends of chromosomes.

Risk of depressive symptoms in the oldest old subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the Leiden 85-plus study.

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been associated with depression in middle-aged and younger old adults. However, it remains unknown whether COPD contributes to the occurrence of depressive symptoms in the oldest old subjects. The authors aimed to determine whether oldest old persons with COPD are at increased risk of developing depressive symptoms.