Cognitive impairment in anorexia nervosa is not due to depressed mood.
OBJECTIVE
Previous research has revealed cognitive deficits in patients with anorexia nervosa. It is unclear whether these deficits are linked to co-morbid depression in this population. We examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning.


METHODS
A large sample of subjects (N = 98) was examined using a common measure of cognitive ability and two measures of depression.


RESULTS
We confirmed that there is no relationship between depression and cognitive ability in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
This suggests that alternative explanations be explored for cognitive deficits in patients with anorexia nervosa.
McDowell
Bradley D
BD
Department of Psychiatry, 1-287 Medical Education Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000, USA. bradley-mcdowell@uiowa.edu
Moser
David J
DJ
Ferneyhough
Karin
K
Bowers
Wayne A
WA
Andersen
Arnold E
AE
Paulsen
Jane S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged