Tissue-specific differences in brain phosphodiesters in late-life major depression.

Objective: Late-life depression has been hypothesized to have a neurodegenerative component that leads to impaired executive function and increases in subcortical white matter hyperintensities. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can quantify several important phosphorus metabolites in the brain, particularly the anabolic precursors and catabolic metabolites of the constituents of cell membranes, which could be altered by neurodegenerative activity.

Methods: Ten patients with late-life major depression who were medication free at time of study and 11 aged normal comparison subjects were studied using (31)P MRS three-dimensional chemical shift imaging at 4 Tesla.

Reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale in detection of poststroke minor depression.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) as a screening tool for minor depression in poststroke patients.

Method: Literate patients older than 18 years of age, diagnosed to have stroke, were eligible for the study. Standardized Mini Mental Status Examination (S-MMSE) and GDS were applied to all patients.

[Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale (SASS)].

Objective: SASS is a new self-evaluation scale that assesses the level of social functioning in depressed patients for clinical research purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of SASS.

Method: Data were obtained from 2 different sample groups that had no physical disturbances that could impair social functioning; healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 65 years (n = 66) and patients (n = 227) diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).

[Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis findings in depressive disorder].

Objective: To find out whether the neuroendocrine abnormalities, that may be seen in major depressive disorder (MDD), differ during depression and remission periods, compared with the controls.

Method: Twenty subjects, diagnosed as MDD according to DSM -IV, ICD-10, and 20 healthy controls were randomly selected and included in this study. Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) and Thyroid Releasing Hormone (TRH) test were performed and basal hormone levels were determined in all subjects.