Vision in depressive disorder

E. Bubl; L. Tebartz Van Elst; D. Ebert; Matthias Gondan; M.W. Greenlee

doi:10.1080/15622970701513756

Vision in depressive disorder

E. Bubl, L. Tebartz Van Elst, D. Ebert, Matthias Gondan, M.W. Greenlee

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background. Reduced dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression. Furthermore, dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the physiology of visual contrast sensitivity (CS). To test the hypothesis that altered dopaminergic neurotransmission plays a role in major depression we measured contrast sensitivity in patients with major depression and in healthy control subjects. Methods. Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were compared to 21 age-matched control subjects on their ability to detect a Gabor target with slightly elevated luminance contrast embedded in seven equi-contrast distracters. Results. Contrast discrimination thresholds were significantly elevated in unmedicated and medicated patients with major depression compared to control subjects, at all pedestal contrast levels tested. Conclusions. Contrast discrimination performance is reduced in depressive patients and might reflect a state of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Original language	English
Journal	World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
Volume	10
Issue number	4 PART 2
Pages (from-to)	377-384
Number of pages	8
ISSN	1562-2975
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/15622970701513756
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2009

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abstract = "Background. Reduced dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression. Furthermore, dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the physiology of visual contrast sensitivity (CS). To test the hypothesis that altered dopaminergic neurotransmission plays a role in major depression we measured contrast sensitivity in patients with major depression and in healthy control subjects. Methods. Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were compared to 21 age-matched control subjects on their ability to detect a Gabor target with slightly elevated luminance contrast embedded in seven equi-contrast distracters. Results. Contrast discrimination thresholds were significantly elevated in unmedicated and medicated patients with major depression compared to control subjects, at all pedestal contrast levels tested. Conclusions. Contrast discrimination performance is reduced in depressive patients and might reflect a state of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission.",

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AU - Bubl, E.

AU - Tebartz Van Elst, L.

AU - Ebert, D.

AU - Gondan, Matthias

AU - Greenlee, M.W.

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Y1 - 2009/1/1

N2 - Background. Reduced dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression. Furthermore, dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the physiology of visual contrast sensitivity (CS). To test the hypothesis that altered dopaminergic neurotransmission plays a role in major depression we measured contrast sensitivity in patients with major depression and in healthy control subjects. Methods. Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were compared to 21 age-matched control subjects on their ability to detect a Gabor target with slightly elevated luminance contrast embedded in seven equi-contrast distracters. Results. Contrast discrimination thresholds were significantly elevated in unmedicated and medicated patients with major depression compared to control subjects, at all pedestal contrast levels tested. Conclusions. Contrast discrimination performance is reduced in depressive patients and might reflect a state of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission.

AB - Background. Reduced dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression. Furthermore, dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the physiology of visual contrast sensitivity (CS). To test the hypothesis that altered dopaminergic neurotransmission plays a role in major depression we measured contrast sensitivity in patients with major depression and in healthy control subjects. Methods. Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were compared to 21 age-matched control subjects on their ability to detect a Gabor target with slightly elevated luminance contrast embedded in seven equi-contrast distracters. Results. Contrast discrimination thresholds were significantly elevated in unmedicated and medicated patients with major depression compared to control subjects, at all pedestal contrast levels tested. Conclusions. Contrast discrimination performance is reduced in depressive patients and might reflect a state of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission.

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Vision in depressive disorder

Abstract

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