European Psychiatry - Volume 41 - April 2017

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25th European Congress of Psychiatry
e-Poster Walk part 2
e-Poster walk: Old-age psychiatry
EW0191
Hippocampal volume recovery after
depression: Evidence from an elderly
sample
I. Bensassi ∗, J. Lopez-Castroman , R. Calati , P. Courtet
Inserm U1061, Colombière Hospital, Adult Psychiatry, Montpellier,
France
∗ Corresponding author.
Objectives Structural neuroimaging studies have revealed a con-
sistent pattern of volumetric reductions in both the hippocampus
and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of individuals with a major
depressive episode (MDE). This study investigated hippocampal
and ACC volume differences in the elderly comparing currently
depressed individuals and individuals with a past lifetime history
of MDE versus healthy controls.
Methods We studied non-demented individuals from a cohort
of community-dwelling people aged 65 and over (ESPRIT study).
T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were used to acquire
anatomical scans from 150 currently depressed individuals, 79
individuals with at least one past MDE, and 310 healthy controls.
We derived quantitative regional estimates of subcortical volume
of hippocampus and ACC using FreeSurfer Software (automated
method). Concerning hippocampus, we also used a manual method
of measurement. General Linear Model was used to study brain
volumes in current and past depression adjusting for gender, age,
education level, total brain volume, and anxiety disorder comor-
bidity.
Results After adjustment, current depression was associated
with a lower left posterior hippocampal volume (F = 10.38,
P = 0.001) using manual estimation of volume. No other signifi-
cant differences were observed. A positive correlation was found
between time since the last MDE and left posterior hippocampal
volume.
Conclusions The finding of left posterior hippocampal volume
reduction in currently depressed individuals but not in those with
a past MDE compared to healthy controls could be related to brain
neuroplasticity. Additionally, our results suggest manual measures
to be more sensitive than automated methods.
Keywords Major depressive episode; Late life depression; Brain
imaging; Biological psychiatry; Magnetic resonance imaging
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
EW0192
Introduction to mindfulness: A pilot
exploratory study among memory
clinic attendees
C. Dolan ∗, I. Bruce , B.A. Lawlor
1 St. James’s Hospital, General Adult Psychiatry, Dublin, Ireland
2 St. James’s Hospital, Medicine for the Elderly, Dublin, Ireland
3 Trinity College Dublin, Old Age Psychiatry, Dublin, Ireland
∗ Corresponding author.
Background Evidence from the literature suggests that group
mindfulness interventions result in improved quality of life,
less depressive symptoms and improved subjective sleep quality
among patients with memory problems
Objectives To design and pilot a brief mindfulness intervention
for Memory Clinic attendees.
Aims To develop a non-pharmacological low-resource interven-
tion for Memory Clinic attendees.
Methods An introduction to mindfulness pack, designed by
author CD, includes a booklet introducing the concept of mindful-
ness, instructions for meditation exercises with an accompanying
CD. Memory clinic attendees diagnosed with subjective mem-
ory complaints or mild cognitive impairment were invited to
take part. Participants completed standardised questionnaires
pre- and post-intervention, which examined subjective mem-
ory, depression and anxiety symptoms, subjective sleep quality,
worry and mindfulness levels. Qualitative information was also
gathered.
Results Of twenty-four participants (66.6% female, mean age
60.8 years), 14 (58.3%) completed the 6-week study. There was no
statistical difference in anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality
of life, sleep quality and worry levels pre- and post-intervention
among participants. However, 100% of participants found the
mindfulness intervention beneficial, with 64.3% ( n = 9) reporting a
subjective improvement in both memory and concentration.
Conclusions In this small pilot study, a brief self-guided mind-
fulness intervention was found to be acceptable to a heterogenous
group of Memory Clinic attendees.
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
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