Project Summary

Warren D. Taylor, M.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of Duke University, is examining hyperintensities, or high intensity lesions present in the prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex associated with the later life depression with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (a variation of MRI very sensitive to cerebrovascular disease and tissue structure with an ability to measure damage to white matter tracts and distinguish changes in hyperintensities from normal brain tissue.  Dr. Taylor hopes to show that more severe changes in tissue structure will be associated with greater severity of depression, greater cognitive dysfunction and poorer response to acute treatment.  This study will provide information on why depression develops in late-life and how these changes relate to treatment response.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)\Geriatric

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