Incidence and predictive factors for poststroke depression

In their study, Fingelkurts et al (2006) demonstrated via EEG (electroencephalogram) that patients with depression have abnormal activity in the prefrontal lobe and the limbic system. Among the most suggestive changes are as follows: the presence of theta waves in the frontal lobe and the frequency increase of alpha and beta waves. Since the first discussions about poststroke depression (Robinson 1986), it has been suggested that when catecholamine neurons are affected the production and release of neurotransmitters during the regeneration process is reduced, and this does not happen only in the affected area, but also throughout the cerebral tissue. It is known that the region located in the anterior part of the frontal lobe is where the highest concentration of catecholaminergic fibres is found. This is consistent with the observation that injuries in the frontal region are the most vulnerable to the production of post-stroke mood disorders, namely to post-stroke depression. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate an association between certain parameters and the risk of post-stroke depression, and to establish the incidence of post-stroke depression.