WOMEN

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Major depressive disorder is a well-established risk factor for incident coronary heart disease and women have higher rates of major depressive disorder than their male counterparts. Endothelial functioning is impaired during current depressive episode. However, it is unknown whether this impairment continues once the depressive episode resolves. The overarching question this study asks is whether previous (but specifically not current) major depressive disorder is associated with endothelial dysfunction in post-menopausal women. This retrospective, controlled study will investigate the relationship between previous major depressive disorder and current coronary heart disease risk in postmenopausal women who are matched for age and Bone Mass Index (BMI). The independent variable is previous major depressive disorder. A reliable, valid, and widely used method for assessing previous behaviors, the timeline follow back method, has been adapted for use with the gold standard diagnostic interview (SCID) to assess previous major depressive disorder. The dependent variable is brachial artery flow mediated dilation. Specific aims are to: 1. Determine whether currently nondepressed women who have experienced previous major depressive disorder have impaired flow mediated dilation relative to their never depressed counterparts. We hypothesize that currently non-depressed women who have experienced previous major depressive disorder will have impaired flow mediated dilation relative to their never depressed counterparts. 2. Determine whether there is a 'dose-response' relationship between number of depressive episodes over the lifespan and flow mediated dilation. We hypothesize that more depressive episodes over the lifespan will be related to decreased flow mediated dilation. 3. Determine whether treatment for depression attenuates any deleterious effects that depression exerts on flow mediated dilation. We hypothesize that previously depressed women whose depression was treated pharmacologically will have less impaired flow mediated dilation than their counterparts whose depression was untreated.