Minor depression after stroke - An initial validation of the DSM-IV construct

Using 141 patients with a single left- or right-hemisphere stroke, the auth ors investigated the distinction between major and minor depression after s troke. Major and minor-depression patients ann nondepressed control patient s were compared, and a logistic-regression model suggested that major and m inor depressions may be cross-sectionally distinguishable disorders. Minor depression was associated with younger age, left-hemisphere lesion location , and mere caudal hemisphere lesions. There was an association between mino r depression and pathoanatomical variables, with results generally, consist ent with the categorical vs. the continuum hypothesis of mood disorders in stroke victims. Authors discuss the significance of damage in left-hemisphe re posterior portions of the brain for the development of minor depression after stroke.