title: Cognition as predictor of current and follow-up depressive symptoms in the general population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies have reported an association between depression and poor cognitive functioning. Unknown is to what degree such associations are merely state-related or reflect an enduring depression vulnerability. This study examined whether cognitive deficits predict current and/or follow-up (sub)clinical depressive symptoms in the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based sample of 569 female twins and 43 of their sisters completed a neuropsychological battery. Cross-sectional and prospective associations between depressive symptoms measured at the subclinical [Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90)] and clinical level (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV disorders) and neuropsychological factors (episodic memory and information processing speed) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV disorders baseline depressive symptoms were significantly associated with information processing speed but not with episodic memory. Episodic memory was significantly associated with follow-up SCL-90 depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Being depressed is accompanied by slower information processing. Poor memory functioning may be a predictor for the onset of subclinical depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J P
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Derom
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiery
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jolles
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Os
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krabbendam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult