Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the cognitive profile of 48 patients with major depression following their first myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
The cognitive performance of the patients was compared with the performance of 48 non-depressed MI patients and 48 healthy controls.


RESULTS
Depressed MI patients performed slower on a simple cognitive speed related measure compared with non-depressed MI patients and healthy controls. Attention and speed-related aspects of cognitive functioning were not affected. Surprisingly, (depressed) MI patients showed even better performances with respect to memory function.


CONCLUSIONS
No patients with non-MI-related depression were included.


CONCLUSIONS
The cognitive profile of major depression after MI differs from that of non-cardiac-related depressive disorder, as described in the literature. This may reflect a different etiology of post MI depression from non-cardiac-related depression.
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Hospital, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Jeanette B
JB
Dijkstra
Jacqueline J M H
JJ
Strik
Richel
R
Lousberg
Jos
J
Prickaerts
Wim J
WJ
Riedel
Jelle
J
Jolles
Herman M
HM
van Praag
Adriaan
A
Honig
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index