Reduced Specificity and Increased Overgenerality of Autobiographical Memory Persist as Cognitive Vulnerabilities in Remitted Major Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Difficulty in accessing specific memories, referred to as reduced memory specificity or overgeneral memory, has been established as a marker of clinical depression. However, it is not clear if this deficit persists following the remission of depressive episodes. The current study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical studies with the aim of establishing whether remitted depression was associated with retrieving fewer specific and more overgeneral autobiographical memories. Seventeen studies were identified as eligible. The results indicated that people with remitted depression recalled fewer specific memories (k = 15; g = -0.314, 95% CI[-0.543; -0.085], z = -2.69, p = .007) and more categoric memories (k = 9; g = 0.254, 95% CI[0.007; 0.501], z = 2.02, p = .043) compared to people who had never been depressed. Given that these deficits have elsewhere been shown to be prognostic of future depressive symptoms, these findings provide further evidence that reduced memory specificity/overgeneral memory appears to be a risk factor for future episodes of depression in those that are in remission. The findings are discussed in terms of how this knowledge might influence clinical understanding of relapse prevention and maintenance of remission in those with a history of depression.

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State-dependent alteration in face emotion recognition in depression

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.110.078139 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 198 (4) ◽

pp. 302-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Ian M. Anderson ◽

Clare Shippen ◽

Gabriella Juhasz ◽

Diana Chase ◽

Emma Thomas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotion Recognition ◽

Emotional Processing ◽

Recognition Task ◽

Control Group ◽

State Dependent ◽

Depressed Group ◽

History Of ◽

Remitted Depression ◽

Face Emotion Recognition ◽

History Of Depression

BackgroundNegative biases in emotional processing are well recognised in people who are currently depressed but are less well described in those with a history of depression, where such biases may contribute to vulnerability to relapse.AimsTo compare accuracy, discrimination and bias in face emotion recognition in those with current and remitted depression.MethodThe sample comprised a control group (n = 101), a currently depressed group (n = 30) and a remitted depression group (n = 99). Participants provided valid data after receiving a computerised face emotion recognition task following standardised assessment of diagnosis and mood symptoms.ResultsIn the control group women were more accurate in recognising emotions than men owing to greater discrimination. Among participants with depression, those in remission correctly identified more emotions than controls owing to increased response bias, whereas those currently depressed recognised fewer emotions owing to decreased discrimination. These effects were most marked for anger, fear and sadness but there was no significant emotion × group interaction, and a similar pattern tended to be seen for happiness although not for surprise or disgust. These differences were confined to participants who were antidepressant-free, with those taking antidepressants having similar results to the control group.ConclusionsAbnormalities in face emotion recognition differ between people with current depression and those in remission. Reduced discrimination in depressed participants may reflect withdrawal from the emotions of others, whereas the increased bias in those with a history of depression could contribute to vulnerability to relapse. The normal face emotion recognition seen in those taking medication may relate to the known effects of antidepressants on emotional processing and could contribute to their ability to protect against depressive relapse.

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Efficacy of online Memory Specificity Training in adults with a history of depression, using a multiple baseline across participants design

Internet Interventions ◽

10.1016/j.invent.2019.100259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 100259 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kris Martens ◽

Tom J. Barry ◽

Keisuke Takano ◽

Patrick Onghena ◽

Filip Raes

Keyword(s):

Multiple Baseline ◽

Memory Specificity ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Depression

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Is psychotherapy effective? A re-analysis of treatments for depression

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796018000355 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (03) ◽

pp. 268-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

T. Munder ◽

C. Flückiger ◽

F. Leichsenring ◽

A. A. Abbass ◽

M. J. Hilsenroth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Wait List ◽

Control Groups ◽

Data Set ◽

A Value ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Depression

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to reanalyse the data from Cuijpers et al.'s (2018) meta-analysis, to examine Eysenck's claim that psychotherapy is not effective. Cuijpers et al., after correcting for bias, concluded that the effect of psychotherapy for depression was small (standardised mean difference, SMD, between 0.20 and 0.30), providing evidence that psychotherapy is not as effective as generally accepted.MethodsThe data for this study were the effect sizes included in Cuijpers et al. (2018). We removed outliers from the data set of effects, corrected for publication bias and segregated psychotherapy from other interventions. In our study, we considered wait-list (WL) controls as the most appropriate estimate of the natural history of depression without intervention.ResultsThe SMD for all interventions and for psychotherapy compared to WL controls was approximately 0.70, a value consistent with past estimates of the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy was also more effective than care-as-usual (SMD = 0.31) and other control groups (SMD = 0.43).ConclusionsThe re-analysis reveals that psychotherapy for adult patients diagnosed with depression is effective.

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Testing the CaR–FA–X model: Investigating the mechanisms underlying reduced autobiographical memory specificity in individuals with and without a history of depression.

Journal of Abnormal Psychology ◽

10.1037/a0037271 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 123 (3) ◽

pp. 471-486 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Jennifer A. Sumner ◽

Susan Mineka ◽

Emma K. Adam ◽

Michelle G. Craske ◽

Suzanne Vrshek-Schallhorn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autobiographical Memory ◽

Memory Specificity ◽

Autobiographical Memory Specificity ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Depression

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Thyroid function and the natural history of depression: findings from the Caerphilly Prospective Study (CaPS) and a meta-analysis

Clinical Endocrinology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03352.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 484-492 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

M. D. Williams ◽

R. Harris ◽

C. M. Dayan ◽

J. Evans ◽

J Gallacher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Depression

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Relationship between progression of brain white matter changes and late-life depression: 3-year results from the LADIS study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.111.098897 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 201 (1) ◽

pp. 40-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Michael J. Firbank ◽

Andrew Teodorczuk ◽

Wiesje M. Van Der Flier ◽

Alida A. Gouw ◽

Anders Wallin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Late Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

White Matter Changes ◽

Brain White Matter ◽

History Of ◽

Depressive Episodes ◽

History Of Depression

BackgroundBrain white matter changes (WMC) and depressive symptoms are linked, but the directionality of this association remains unclear.AimsTo investigate the relationship between baseline and incident depression and progression of white matter changes.MethodIn a longitudinal multicentre pan-European study (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the elderly, LADIS), participants aged over 64 underwent baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessments. Repeat scans were obtained at 3 years. Depressive outcomes were assessed in terms of depressive episodes and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Progression of WMC was measured using the modified Rotterdam Progression scale.ResultsProgression of WMC was significantly associated with incident depression during year 3 of the study (P = 0.002) and remained significant after controlling for transition to disability, baseline WMC and baseline history of depression. There was no significant association between progression of WMC and GDS score, and no significant relationship between progression of WMC and history of depression at baseline.ConclusionsOur results support the vascular depression hypothesis and implicate WMC as causal in the pathogenesis of late-life depression.

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Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with depressive symptoms in pregnancy

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsz270 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Karen Redhead ◽

Jennifer Walsh ◽

Megan Galbally ◽

John P Newnham ◽

Stuart J Watson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Apnea Hypopnea Index ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

History Of ◽

Depressive Episodes ◽

History Of Depression ◽

In Pregnancy

Abstract Study Objectives In pregnancy, the prevalence of both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression increases. Research reveals an association in the general population with up to 45% of patients diagnosed with OSA having depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between OSA and depression in pregnant women. Methods One hundred and eighty-nine women ≥26 weeks pregnant were recruited from a tertiary perinatal hospital. This cross-sectional study measured OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index, AHI, using an ApneaLink device) and symptoms of depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS). Data were collected from medical records including participant age, ethnicity, parity, BMI, smoking status, history of depression, and use of antidepressants. Results Of the consenting women, data from 124 were suitable for analysis. Twenty women (16.1%) had OSA (AHI ≥ 5 events/h) and 11 (8.8%) had depressive symptoms (EPDS > 12). Women with OSA were more likely to have depressive symptoms after adjusting for covariates, odds ratio = 8.36, 95% CI [1.57, 44.46]. OSA was also related to higher EPDS scores and these were greater in women with a history of depression. Conclusions During late pregnancy women with OSA had eight times the odds of having depressive symptoms. Furthermore, an interaction was found between OSA and history of depression. Specifically, in women with no history of depression, OSA increases depressive symptoms. In women with a history of depression, OSA has an even stronger effect on depressive symptomology. This suggests screening for OSA in pregnancy may identify women prone to future depressive episodes and allow for targeted interventions.

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Interaction between a history of depression and rumination on neural response to emotional faces

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291711000043 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 41 (9) ◽

pp. 1845-1855 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

E. J. Thomas ◽

R. Elliott ◽

S. McKie ◽

D. Arnone ◽

D. Downey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Processing ◽

Negative Emotion ◽

Negative Emotions ◽

Neural Responses ◽

Emotional Faces ◽

History Of ◽

Consistent Picture ◽

Depressive Episodes ◽

The Relationship ◽

History Of Depression

BackgroundBoth past depressive episodes and the personality trait of depressive rumination are strong risk factors for future depression. Depression is associated with abnormal emotional processing, which may be a neurobiological marker for vulnerability to depression. A consistent picture has yet to emerge as to how a history of depression and the tendency to ruminate influence emotional processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between rumination, past depression and neural responses when processing face emotions.MethodThe Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) was completed by 30 remitted depressives and 37 controls who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning while viewing happy, sad, fearful and neutral faces.ResultsThe remitted depressives showed overall reductions in neural responses to negative emotions relative to the controls. However, in the remitted depressives, but not the controls, RRS scores were correlated with increased neural responses to negative emotions and decreased responses to happiness in limbic regions.ConclusionsAutomatic emotion processing biases and rumination seem to be correlated to aspects of vulnerability to depression. However, remission from depression may be maintained by a general suppression of limbic responsiveness to negative emotion.

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A meta-analysis of poststroke depression risk factors comparing depressive-related factors versus others

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610219002187 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 1331-1344

Author(s):

Rebecca Perrain ◽

Lila Mekaoui ◽

David Calvet ◽

Jean-Louis Mas ◽

Philip Gorwood

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Previous History ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Poststroke Depression ◽

History Of ◽

Depressive Episodes

ABSTRACTObjectives:Poststroke depression (PSD) is a public health issue, affecting one-third of stroke survivors, and is associated with multiple negative consequences. Reviews tried to identify PSD risk factors with discrepant results, highlighting the lack of comparability of the analyzed studies. We carried out a meta-analysis in order to identify clinical risk factors that can predict PSD.Design:PubMed and Web of Science were searched for papers. Only papers with a strictly defined Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders depression assessment, at least 2 weeks after stroke, were selected. Two authors independently evaluated potentially eligible studies that were identified by our search and independently extracted data using standardized spreadsheets. Analyses were performed using MetaWin®, the role of each variable being given as a risk ratio (RR).Results:Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Identified risk factors for PSD with RR significantly above 1 were previous history of depression (RR 2.19, confidence interval (CI) 1.52–3.15), disability (RR 2.00, CI 1.58–2.52), previous history of stroke (RR 1.68, CI 1.06–2.66), aphasia (RR 1.47, CI 1.13–1.91), and female gender (RR 1.35, CI 1.14–1.61). Fixed effects model leads to identification of two more risk factors: early depressive symptoms with an RR of 2.32 (CI 1.43–3.79) and tobacco consumption (RR 1.40, CI 1.09–1.81). Time bias was found for alcohol consumption. Sample size was significantly involved to explain the role of “alcohol consumption” and “cognitive impairment.”Conclusion:Five items were significantly predictive of PSD. It might be of clinical interest that depressive-related risk factors (such as past depressive episodes) were having the largest impact.

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