BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms negatively influence global cognition in the elderly; however, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether depressive symptoms influence global cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) by impeding specific neuropsychological abilities and under what conditions this effect might occur. METHOD: A sample of 259 participants (104 cognitively normal elderly controls, 66 patients with MCI and 89 patients with mild AD) underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Global cognitive impairment was indexed by the composite of Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and severity of depressive symptoms was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: Among patients with MCI, greater severity of depressive symptoms was associated with greater global cognitive impairment, with a moderate effect size. A mediation analysis revealed that patients with MCI experiencing depressive symptoms may exhibit global cognitive impairment because their depressive symptoms were reducing their capacity for working memory, episodic memory and non-speed-based executive functions. A moderation analysis indicated that this effect was consistent across age, gender, years of education and APOE-e4 status for working memory and episodic memory, and was observed in patients with MCI older than 65 years for executive functions. In cognitively normal elderly adults and patients with AD, depressive symptoms were not associated with global cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms influence global cognitive function in patients with MCI indirectly by reducing mental space, mental flexibility and their capacity for consolidating and retrieving memories. These findings may guide clinicians to better diagnose and manage cognitive impairment in the context of concomitant depressive symptoms. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
BACKGROUND:Depressive symptoms negatively influence global cognition in the elderly; however, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether depressive symptoms influence global cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) by impeding specific neuropsychological abilities and under what conditions this effect might occur. METHOD: A sample of 259 participants (104 cognitively normal elderly controls, 66 patients with MCI and 89 patients with mild AD) underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Global cognitive impairment was indexed by the composite of Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and severity of depressive symptoms was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: Among patients with MCI, greater severity of depressive symptoms was associated with greater global cognitive impairment, with a moderate effect size. A mediation analysis revealed that patients with MCI experiencing depressive symptoms may exhibit global cognitive impairment because their depressive symptoms were reducing their capacity for working memory, episodic memory and non-speed-based executive functions. A moderation analysis indicated that this effect was consistent across age, gender, years of education and APOE-e4 status for working memory and episodic memory, and was observed in patients with MCI older than 65 years for executive functions. In cognitively normal elderly adults and patients with AD, depressive symptoms were not associated with global cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS:Depressive symptoms influence global cognitive function in patients with MCI indirectly by reducing mental space, mental flexibility and their capacity for consolidating and retrieving memories. These findings may guide clinicians to better diagnose and manage cognitive impairment in the context of concomitant depressive symptoms. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
Authors: Liselotte De Wit; Melanie Chandler; Priscilla Amofa; Brittany DeFeis; Andrea Mejia; Deirdre O'Shea; Dona E C Locke; Julie A Fields; Glenn E Smith Journal: Neuropsychol Rehabil Date: 2019-09-20 Impact factor: 2.868
Authors: Adeline Su Lyn Ng; Juan Wang; Kwun Kei Ng; Joanna Su Xian Chong; Xing Qian; Joseph Kai Wei Lim; Yi Jayne Tan; Alisa Cui Wen Yong; Russell Jude Chander; Shahul Hameed; Simon Kang Seng Ting; Nagaendran Kandiah; Juan Helen Zhou Journal: Alzheimers Res Ther Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 6.982