Abstract
We examined the relationship between presenile, senile depressive states and silent cerebral infarction (SCI) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The diagnostic criteria of major depression according to DSM-III-R was used to diagnose. Patients in whom stroke had occurred or who had local neurologic symptoms were not included.
About half of the patients with depressive states of presenile onset and most of the patients with those of senile onset had SCI, were considered to be organic-depressive states complicated with SCI.
Because patients with depressive states with SCI are at high risk of occurrence of stroke, we designated this condition “pre-stroke depression”, and classified it with endogene depression. At this time, it is important to begin therapy for cerebrovascular disease.
