Reduction of cerebellar volume in major depression: A controlled MRI study

A systematic sampling stereological method of serially acquired axial intermediate T2-weighted Spin echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was used to measure cerebellar volume in 30 patients who fulfilled DSM III criteria for major depression and compared with 35 normal controls. The mean cerebellar volume of depressed patients was significantly smaller than the controls. This preliminary study adds new evidence for the possible participation of the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of major depression and warrants further investigation in this area. Depression 1:156–158 (1993). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.