scholarly journals Symptoms of Depression in a Large Healthy Population Cohort are related to Subjective Memory Complaints and Memory Performance in Negative Contexts

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Schweizer ◽  
Rogier A. Kievit ◽  
Tina Emery ◽  
Richard N. Henson ◽  

AbstractDecades of research have investigated the impact of clinical depression on memory, which has revealed biases and in some cases impairments. However, little is understood about the effects of sub-clinical symptoms of depression on memory performance in the general population. Here we report the effects of symptoms of depression on memory problems in a large population-derived cohort (N = 2544), 87% of whom reported at least one symptom of depression. Specifically, we investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance on a standard neuropsychological task and, in a subsample (n = 288), objective memory in affective contexts. There was a dissociation between subjective and objective memory performance, with depressive symptoms showing a robust relationship with self-reports of memory complaints, even after adjusting for age, gender, general cognitive ability and symptoms of anxiety, but not with performance on the standardised measure of verbal memory. Contrary to our expectations, hippocampal volume (assessed in a subsample, n = 592) did not account for significant variance in subjective memory, objective memory or depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, depressive symptoms were related to poorer memory for pictures presented in negative contexts, even after adjusting for memory for pictures in neutral contexts. Thus the symptoms of depression, associated with subjective memory complaints, appear better assessed by memory performance in affective contexts, rather than standardised memory measures. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the impact of depressive symptoms on memory functioning in the general population.

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Schweizer ◽  
R. A. Kievit ◽  
T. Emery ◽  
R. N. Henson ◽  

BackgroundDecades of research have investigated the impact of clinical depression on memory, which has revealed biases and in some cases impairments. However, little is understood about the effects of subclinical symptoms of depression on memory performance in the general population.MethodsHere we report the effects of symptoms of depression on memory problems in a large population-derived cohort (N= 2544), 87% of whom reported at least one symptom of depression. Specifically, we investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance on a standard neuropsychological task and, in a subsample (n= 288), objective memory in affective contexts.ResultsThere was a dissociation between subjective and objective memory performance, with depressive symptoms showing a robust relationship with self-reports of memory complaints, even after adjusting for age, sex, general cognitive ability and symptoms of anxiety, but not with performance on the standardised measure of verbal memory. Contrary to our expectations, hippocampal volume (assessed in a subsample,n= 592) did not account for significant variance in subjective memory, objective memory or depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, depressive symptoms were related to poorer memory for pictures presented in negative contexts, even after adjusting for memory for pictures in neutral contexts.ConclusionsThus the symptoms of depression, associated with subjective memory complaints, appear better assessed by memory performance in affective contexts, rather than standardised memory measures. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the impact of depressive symptoms on memory functioning in the general population.


Author(s):  
R.-Y. Chao ◽  
T.-F. Chen ◽  
Y.-L. Chang

Background: Although evidence suggests that subjective memory complaints (SMCs) could be a risk factor for dementia, the relationship between SMCs and objective memory performance remains controversial. Old adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may represent a highly heterogeneous group, based partly on the demonstrated variability in the level of executive function among those individuals. It is reasonable to speculate that the accuracy of the memory-monitoring ability could be affected by the level of executive function in old adults. Objective: This study investigated the effects of executive function level on the consistency between SMCs and objective memory performance while simultaneously considering demographic and clinical variables in nondemented older adults. Setting: Participants were recruited from both the memory clinics and local communities. Participants: Participants comprised 65 cognitively normal (CN) older adults and 54 patients with MCI. Measurements: Discrepancy scores between subjective memory evaluation and objective memory performance were calculated to determine the degree and directionality of the concordance between subjective and objective measures. Demographic, emotional, genetic, and clinical information as well as several executive function measurements were collected. Results: The CN and MCI groups exhibited similar degrees of SMC; however, the patients with MCI were more likely to overestimate their objective memory ability, whereas the CN adults were more likely to underestimate their objective memory ability. The results also revealed that symptoms of depression, group membership, and the executive function level together predicted the discrepancy between the subjective and objective measures of memory function; however, the executive function level retained its unique predictive ability even after the symptoms of depression, group membership, and other factors were controlled for. Conclusion: Although both noncognitive and cognitive factors were necessary for consideration, the level of executive function may play a unique role in understanding the equivocal relationship of the concurrence between subjective complaints and objective function measures. Through a comprehensive evaluation, high-risk individuals (i.e., CN individuals heightened self-awareness of memory changes) may possibly be identified or provided with the necessary intervention during stages at which objective cognitive impairment remains clinically unapparent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S654-S654
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Gallagher

Abstract Cognitive health is a rising public health concern in the U.S. Currently, approximately 5.7 million older adults suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and by the year 2050 this number is expected to increase to 14 million. Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are shown to be an early indicator of cognitive decline, and accordingly included as a clinical criterion for diagnoses of MCI, an indicator of pre-dementia states, and a research criterion for AD diagnoses. Among older adults, depressive symptoms hinder the accuracy of memory self-ratings. However, there has yet to be consensus regarding the nature of how depressive symptoms may condition the relationship between SMC and cognitive performance. The aims of the present study are to both investigate whether SMC is related to episodic memory and to determine whether depressive symptoms act as a moderator for the relationship between SMC and episodic memory among older adults. This research used nationally representative sample of 8,123 older adults aged 65 and older who completed the Leave Behind Questionnaire in the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Linear regression was performed and results showed that there was a significant main effect of SMC on episodic memory performance, in that older adults with increased SMC have worse episodic memory. There was also a significant moderating effect of depressive symptoms, in that depressive symptoms cause older adults to underestimate their memory abilities. In order to use SMC as a tool for early detection efforts it is critical to understand these complex relationships.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohko Maki ◽  
Tomoharu Yamaguchi ◽  
Tetsuya Yamagami ◽  
Tatsuhiko Murai ◽  
Kenji Hachisuka ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 894-894
Author(s):  
Armistead-Jehle P ◽  
Mattson E ◽  
Nelson N ◽  
Disner S

Abstract Objective Previous research has shown that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology may mediate the association between subjective cognitive complaints and objective cognitive performance, however, the precise nature of this mediation is not well understood. The present study aims to expand on these findings by focusing on memory processes and exploring the influence that personality variables may have on the mediational role of PTSD symptoms. Methods In a sample of 196 U.S. military service members and veterans, we administered the PTSD checklist (PCL), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), Memory Complaints Inventory (MCI), and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Results Overall MCI score (reflecting subjective memory complaints) was associated with both RBANS immediate (β= −0.15, SE = 0.06, p = 0.01) and delayed memory performance (β= −0.13, SE = 0.06, p = 0.02), but PTSD severity mediated both of these relationships (95% CI -0.14, −0.01; 95% CI -0.14, −0.02, respectively). Trait depression moderated the mediation path between subjective memory complaints and PTSD severity (β= −0.02, SE = 0.004, p < .001), but not the path between PTSD and either immediate or delayed memory performance (all p > .05). Conclusion Results suggest that targeting PTSD and depressive symptoms may be a promising treatment for those with subjective memory complaints.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Baldacci ◽  
◽  
Simone Lista ◽  
Maria Laura Manca ◽  
Patrizia A. Chiesa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Plasma neurofilament light (NFL) and total Tau (t-Tau) proteins are candidate biomarkers for early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The impact of biological factors on their plasma concentrations in individuals with subjective memory complaints (SMC) has been poorly explored. We longitudinally investigate the effect of sex, age, APOE ε4 allele, comorbidities, brain amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, and cognitive scores on plasma NFL and t-Tau concentrations in cognitively healthy individuals with SMC, a condition associated with AD development. Methods Three hundred sixteen and 79 individuals, respectively, have baseline and three-time point assessments (at baseline, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up) of the two biomarkers. Plasma biomarkers were measured with an ultrasensitive assay in a mono-center cohort (INSIGHT-preAD study). Results We show an effect of age on plasma NFL, with women having a higher increase of plasma t-Tau concentrations compared to men, over time. The APOE ε4 allele does not affect the biomarker concentrations while plasma vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with higher plasma t-Tau concentrations. Both biomarkers are correlated and increase over time. Baseline NFL is related to the rate of Aβ deposition at 2-year follow-up in the left-posterior cingulate and the inferior parietal gyri. Baseline plasma NFL and the rate of change of plasma t-Tau are inversely associated with cognitive score. Conclusion We find that plasma NFL and t-Tau longitudinal trajectories are affected by age and female sex, respectively, in SMC individuals. Exploring the influence of biological variables on AD biomarkers is crucial for their clinical validation in blood.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhee Chin ◽  
Kyung Ja Oh ◽  
Sang Won Seo ◽  
Duk L. Na

ABSTRACTBackground:Subjective memory impairment (SMI) refers to conditions in which people complain of memory problems despite intact cognition. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the roles of self-focused attention and depressive symptomatology in subjective memory complaints.Methods:One hundred and eight patients who visited a memory disorder clinic with complaints of memory decline, but who were found on subsequent neuropsychological assessment to have normal cognitive function, were recruited to participate in the study. The severity of subjective memory complaints was measured with the modified Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire. In addition, neuropsychological functions, self-focused attention, and depressive symptomatology were also assessed.Results:The results showed that the severity of SMI was not significantly correlated with any of the neuropsychological test scores except for the complex figure copy. The severity of SMI, however, was significantly correlated with self-focused attention and depressive symptomatology. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that self-focused attention and depressive symptomatology significantly contributed to the severity of subjective memory complaints over and above the neuropsychological test performance. The interaction effects between self-focused attention/depressive symptomatology and objective memory performance on the severity of SMI were not significant.Conclusions:In conclusion, self-focused attention and depressive symptomatology appear to play important roles in the severity of SMI, even though it is not clear how these factors interact with objective memory performance. Clinical implications as well as limitations of the present study were discussed.


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