Objective: This study aimed to investigate the cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) volume substrates of depressive symptom in patients with BSP.

Background: Primary blepharospasm (BSP), a common adult-onset primary dystonia, is characterizes by motor symptoms and also has various nonmotor symptoms. Depression is one of the prevalent nonmotor symtoms, which would affect the quality of life for these patients. The pathophysiology of depressive symptom in BSP is unclear.

Method: Thirty-one patients with BSP and 31 healthy controls (HC) without cognitive or mood impairment were recruited. All subjects underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging and completed the 24-item Hamilton rating scale (HDRS) for depression. The motor symptoms of patients were evaluated by Jankovic rating scale (JRS). Voxel-based morphometry analysis was performed to assess GM in cortical and subcortical structures. Between-group comparisons and regressions were performed.

Results: BSP patients with depressive symptoms (HDRS≥8) showed lower GM volume in postcentral gyrus and middle occipital gyrus compared to HC and BSP patients without depressive symptoms. In BSP patients, higher HDRS scores were associated with lower GM volumes in postcentral gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, angular gyrus and parahipppcampa gyrus.

Conclusion: Depressive symptoms in BSP patients were related to patterns of cortical and subcortical GM volume loss.

« Back to 2019 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/gray-matter-substrates-of-depression-in-blepharospasm/