Vascular depression provides a useful framework to remind clinicians of interactions between depression and vascular disease, but conceptually it may be too restrictive.
The concept of vascular depression is clinically useful but conceptually restrictive, as the interaction between depression and vascular disease is bi-directional and potentially mediated by inflammation.
BACKGROUND: Vascular depression is an important conceptual and clinical concept. OBJECTIVE: To apply criteria which, in an ideal world, should be satisfied before an association between depression and vascular disease can be considered robust. METHOD: A literature review with discussion of findings in the light of recently suggested guidelines for the development of new psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: There is considerable evidence linking depression in later life with vascular brain disease but the interaction is bi-directional. Depression and vascular disease could be mediated by factors other than traditional vascular risk factors. There is increasing interest in mechanisms such as inflammatory processes which may mediate both depression and vascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular depression provides a useful framework with which to remind the clinician of important interactions between depression and vascular disease but conceptually it may be too restrictive.
R Baldwin (Thu,) conducted a review in Vascular depression. Vascular brain disease was evaluated. Vascular depression provides a useful framework to remind clinicians of interactions between depression and vascular disease, but conceptually it may be too restrictive.