Multimodal MRI Characteristics of Psychotherapy Response in Late Life Depression

The specific focus of this study is to gather data regarding the effects of a psychological therapy known as Problem Solving Therapy (PST) on cerebral blood flow (CBF), cortical gray matter (GM) atrophy, subcortical white matter (WM) lesion burden, and measures of cognitive function in subjects with Late Life Major Depressive Disorder (LLD). This research goal will be achieved by recruiting 110 individuals over the age of 65 with LLD. The primary outcomes will be change in CBF, change in GM atrophy, change in WM lesion, change in cognitive function, and change in depression severity from baseline to the end of 12 weeks of PST.

Study procedures include: 1) Telephone screen, 2) Diagnostic evaluation to determine diagnosis of MDD, 3) Baseline evaluation consisting of medical history, cognitive assessment, and MRIs, 4) Participation in 12 weeks of psychotherapy treatment with assessments of depression severity, and 5) Follow up evaluation at 12 weeks consisting of depression, cognitive function, and post treatment MRIs.

Telephone Screen: Older adults who respond to our recruitment efforts for LLD will be screened by telephone using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and those who obtain a score of 5 or greater will be scheduled for an eligibility appointment within a week of screening. Anyone who endorses the suicide question (item 9) of the PHQ-9 will be scheduled for a same day appointment, and will be seen by the study investigators. Similarly, other exclusion criteria will be assessed using a structured questionnaire. If participants are interested in other treatment referrals these will be provided.

Diagnostic Evaluation: In this assessment, the investigators consent participants and administer measures that address eligibility \[i.e., Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis of DSM-IV Disorders (SCID)\], the 24 item HDRS, Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). To qualify, LLD participants must obtain a diagnosis of MDD (SCID), have an HDRS score of 20 or higher, a MMSE score of 25 or better, and a CDR of 0.5 or less.. Those who do not qualify for the study and/or who are interested in alternate LLD treatments will be offered referrals for services at the outpatient clinics at UCSF or community resources.

Baseline Assessment: After completion of the diagnostic evaluation and being deemed study eligible, LLD participants will be scheduled for a baseline assessment. At the baseline assessment meeting, the HDRS is administered again to confirm depression severity. The baseline assessment consists of 1) demographics and patient characteristics, 2) neuropsychological testing, and 3) depression and functional outcome measures, and 4) multimodal MRI evaluation.

Participant Characteristics: Demographic data, such as age, gender, race, living conditions, marital status, occupation, and education will be obtained as well as previous psychiatric treatment received. Medical comorbidity will be assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Medication use will be assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) medication history form. Suicidal ideation will be assessed utilizing the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI). The investigators will utilize a clinician rated measures of lifetime history of depressive episodes and depression treatments, the Duke Social Support Index, and the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) for exploratory analyses.

Cognitive Functioning: Primary cognitive outcome variables will include: the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, the Boston Naming test, and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test as a measure of memory.

Psychotherapeutic Treatment: Problem Solving Therapy (PST) is a brief evidence based psychotherapy that is commonly utilized for treatment of LLD. The problem solving therapy includes 12 weekly in person 50 minute sessions.

Follow up assessments: At 12 weeks, LLD participants will participate in a follow up evaluation that is identical the baseline assessment of depression, cognitive function, and MRI. The investigators will use total HDRS score to determine response to treatment.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Current DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD, unipolar type, without psychotic features and 6 weeks minimum duration of current depressive episode.
2. Moderate severity of depression using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS \> 20).
3. English speaking, male or female
4. 65 years of age or older
5. Good general health
6. Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Antidepressant use or psychotherapy within the past 6 weeks or electroconvulsive therapy within the past 6 months.
2. Recent history (\<6 months) of substance or alcohol abuse or dependence (DSM-IV criteria).
3. Use of cognitive enhancing medications.
4. Current diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other Axis 1 psychiatric disorder.
5. Neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, cortical stroke, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury) or dementia.
6. History of surgical procedures affecting study outcomes.
7. Contraindications for MR exam, i.e., no claustrophobia, no paramagnetic metal implants, able to fit in the MRI machine comfortably (BMI ≤ 38).
8. Acute or uncontrolled medical illness or medication use impacting cognitive function.