The relationship between depression and lesion localization in first-time stroke patients

Objective: There is a need for more systematical and wide-spread studies because of the methodological problems in scientific studies discussing the relationship between depression and localization. Method: Forty patients with first-time stroke were examined prospectively during 6 month study period. The diagnosis of depression was made by using SCID P interviews and the patients were followed by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Scale by a psychiatrist The findings from the brain imaging were evaluated and classified as lesions located in anterior, posterior or medial part of either left or right hemisphere by using a standard method. The differences of lesions between the patients who developed the depression and the patients without depression were evaluated during follow-up period. Results: The study population consisted of 40 patients; 13 women (32.5%) and 27 men (67.5%). The relationship between depression and lesion localization whether right or left hemisphere was not significant, but the relationship between depression and anteriorly located lesions was statistically significant. Conclusion: Although previous structural imaging studies, neuropsychological examinations, and functional studies reported a relationship between development of depression and locations of lesions usually on the left anterior part of the brain, our results showed a significant relationship between depression and anterior lesions in the first-time stroke patients.