Difference in cognitive function and related brain structure in depressive 
   Lead Investigator:    Sooyun Cho
   Institution      :    Seoul National University
   E-Mail           :    sooyuncho@snu.ac.kr
   Proposal ID      :    757



   Proposal Description:
   Since memory function decline and attention deficit are also observed in elders   with depression, it poses difficulty in the medical, clinical fields to           differentiate those elders with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia       with those with depression. The goal of this study is to observe the different    patterns in clinical outcome between those with depression and those with MCI     and observe the difference in the morphology (shape and volume) of the overall    cortices and subcortical areas (especially the subvolumes of hippocampus). This   research is hoped to provide basis in understanding the types of                  neuropsychological tests those with depression are vulnerable to and how their    brain morphology differs with those with MCI. Our primary hypothesis is that      those who are depressed will show cognitive decline in specific cognitive tasks   - in set-shifting and mnemonic tasks as shown in previous studies - compared to   those with MCI. In turn, this will be further explained by their subregional      differences in volume of bilateral hippocampus, volume of amygdala, and other     cortical regions that take part in executive function. This result may also       further answer the question of whether depression, MCI and dementia is in a       continuum process.