Depression and subgroups - analysis of vascular MRI parameters in different subgroups of depression

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Uta Hanning
• Subject Area: Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology ; Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: from 2016 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 314835879

There is a high heterogeneity of biological factors that influence the development of depression. Up to now most of the studies focused on the relationship between vascular risk factors and late-onset - depression without considering the different subgroups of depression. The bi-directional link between late-onset - depression and cardiovascular risk factors is known and the hypothesis of vascular depression established. The concept of depression subtypes postulates that each may relate to the risk of developing CVD in a specific way. The aim of the current project is to investigate and analyse vascular brain changes in patients with depression in different subgroups and to validate if the hypothesis of the vascular depression can also be applied on depression subgroups. Evidence for the influence of vascular risk factors on subgroups of depression could lead to a significant optimization of therapy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants