Abstract
BackgroundDepressive patients show less altruistic behavior. While, older adults present higher tendencies for altruism than younger adults. Depression and age are two of the influencing factors of altruism, kynurenine (KYN), and its metabolites. However, the characteristics of altruism in late-life depression (LLD) and its possible underlying mechanism have not been studied.ObjectiveWe aimed to explore the characteristics of altruism in LLD patients and its neurobiological mechanism and structural brain network. We investigated whether the levels of metabolites in kynurenine pathway (KP) and white matter (WM) network topological features would influence the altruistic behavior in LLD patients.MethodsThirty-four LLD patients and 36 heathy controls (HCs) were included. Altruism was evaluated by the Dictator Game (DG) paradigm. Serum concentrations of KP metabolites were detected by the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The topological features of the WM network were calculated from diffusion tensor imaging data in conjunction with graph-theoretical analysis.ResultsThe LLD participants exhibited a higher level of altruism and WM global network properties than the HCs. Kynurenic acid to kynurenine (KYNA/KYN) ratio was associated with the DG performance in LLD group. KYNA/KYN ratio was associated with the WM network properties in HC group.ConclusionsKYN metabolism played an important role in altruistic behavior in LLD.
Highlights
Depression is the most common mental disorder in the growing geriatric population [1]
We aimed to investigate the characteristics of altruistic behavior, Kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolism, and white matter (WM) network connectivity in Late-life depression (LLD), and further explore whether KP metabolism and WM network topological features would influence altruistic behavior in LLD patients
There is no significant difference in the gender, age, body mass index (BMI), education years, or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores between the LLD and healthy controls (HCs) groups
Summary
Depression is the most common mental disorder in the growing geriatric population [1]. Deficits of social functioning commonly occur in patients with depression, which have an KP and WM Network in LLD's Altruism impact on their work performances and marriages [6]. Depression and age are two of the primary influencing factors of altruistic behavior. Depression patients at midlife would avoid altruistic behaviors [9]. Older adults show higher tendencies for altruism than younger adults [10]. Altruistic behavior in depression in old age and its possible underlying mechanism have not been studied. Older adults present higher tendencies for altruism than younger adults. Depression and age are two of the influencing factors of altruism, kynurenine (KYN), and its metabolites. The characteristics of altruism in late-life depression (LLD) and its possible underlying mechanism have not been studied
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
