Basal ganglia morphology links the metabolic syndrome and depressive symptoms.

ABSTRACT: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors that are often comorbid with depressive symptoms. Individual components of the MetS also covary with the morphology of basal ganglia regions that are altered by depression. However, it remains unknown whether the covariation between the MetS and depressive symptomatology can be accounted for in part by morphological changes in the basal ganglia. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that increased depressive symptoms among individuals with the MetS might be statistically mediated by reduced gray matter volume in basal ganglia regions. The presence of the MetS was determined in 147 middle-aged adults using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III. Bas

SUBMITTER: Onyewuenyi IC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4118460 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature