[Organic correlates of depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's dementia. Results of a prospective study, review of the literature]

Nervenarzt. 1992 Sep;63(9):566-74.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was verified at post-mortem examination in 46 patients (9 male: 37 female; mean age 83.6 +/- 6.5 years) from a prospective clinical study. Compared to 10 age-matched controls, the total AD group showed a significant neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, substantia nigra and in the basal nucleus of Meynert. Twelve patients (1 male: 11 female) had experienced symptoms of depression. These patients had significantly lower neuronal counts in the locus coeruleus, but less severe cell loss in the basal nucleus of Meynert compared to the AD patients without depression.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / pathology
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder / pathology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Locus Coeruleus / pathology
  • Male
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / pathology
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
  • Neurofibrillary Tangles / pathology
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Prospective Studies