Understanding the neurobiology of depression in Alzheimer's Disease

 
   Lead Investigator:    Lindsey Sinclair
   Institution      :    University of Bristol
   E-Mail           :    eplis@bristol.ac.uk
   Proposal ID      :    1265



   Proposal Description:
   Depression affects nearly 1 in 6 of those who suffer from Alzheimer?s Disease. (Asmer et al., 2018) It seems to peak early in the disease process with a second peak later in the illness.(Vik-Mo, Giil, Ballard,  Aarsland, 2018)  It can be a very challenging diagnosis to make later in the illness when the patient is less able to communicate.  The underlying biology of depression in AD is poorly understood. It remains unclear whether it is a consequence of the AD process or an unrelated co-morbid illness. The results of existing research have been conflicting and new approaches are required. Vascular disease has been identified as a possible contributor to both depression and Alzheimer's disease.                                                               Objectives    1) To identify the contribution of vascular changes, as measured by white matter hyperintensities on MRI, to depression in AD.    2) To identify regions with increased atrophy in depression in AD, in order to use these regions for further human tissue based studies.    Proposed analyses                                                                  Brain Atrophy  I will use existing MRI data on longitudinal atrophy rates to examine whether individuals with depression during AD have greater atrophy on serial MRIs than individuals with AD who did not become depressed.     White Matter Hyperintensities  I will use existing data within NACC on white matter hyperintensities seen on MRI to examine whether these occur more frequently in individuals with depression during AD.