The pattern of brain asymmetries was visualized on computed tomography
(CT) scan in patients with a single acute cerebrovascular lesion. Patients
were divided into those with typical or reversed frontal and/or occipital
asymmetries. Among patients with a typical occipital asymmetry, those with
left frontal or left basal ganglia lesions showed a significantly higher
frequency of major depression and significantly higher depression scores
than patients with similar lesion location but with reversed occipital
asymmetry or those with a typical asymmetry and lesions in other (left or
right) brain areas. Among patients with a reversed occipital asymmetry,
there was no significant association between left frontal or left basal
ganglia lesions and depression. This study demonstrates that the previously
reported significant association between post-stroke major depression and
lesion location is restricted to patients with a typical occipital
asymmetry and is not present in patients with a reversed occipital
asymmetry.Abstract Teaser