Brain chemical changes in older adults with major depression

Patients with late-life major depressive disorder had a significantly lower N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine ratio in the left frontal white matter.

• Higher choline (Cho)/creatine and myo-inositol/creatine ratios were observed in the left basal ganglia of patients compared to control subjects.
• Myo-inositol levels correlated with global cognitive function among patients with late-life major depression.
• Biochemical abnormalities were specifically located in the left frontal white matter and the basal ganglia.
• Findings suggest possible neuron degeneration in the frontal white matter and dysfunction in the basal ganglia related to late-life depression.

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