Evaluation of the Effects of Severe Depression on Global Cognitive Function and Memory.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is thought to negatively impact cognitive function; however, the relationship has not been well explored.



This study examined the association between depression severity and global cognitive function and memory in subjects with severe, treatment-resistant MDD.



We enrolled 66 subjects with Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosed unipolar MDD in a multicenter trial to assess the efficacy and neurocognitive effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We measured depression severity with the 24 item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD(24)). Neuropsychologic measures included the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Complex Figure Test (CFT). Correlational and regression analyses were conducted to explore associations between depression severity and cognitive function.



The mean age of the subjects was 53.6 years (SD=15.8), 65% were female, and mean HRSD(24) was 33.9 (SD=6.7). Mean demographic-corrected T-scores for each neurocognitive measure were in the average to borderline range, and HRSD(24) values were unrelated to performance on the MMSE, RAVLT immediate and delayed recall, and CFT immediate and delayed recall.



In this sample of severely depressed subjects referred for ECT, depression severity was unrelated to global cognitive function or memory. Future research should examine the interactions between other depressive characteristics and neurocognitive function.
McClintock
Shawn M
SM
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8898, USA. Shawn.McClintock@utsouthwestern.edu
Cullum
Munro
M
Husain
Mustafa M
MM
Rush
A John
AJ
Knapp
Rebecca G
RG
Mueller
Martina
M
Petrides
Georgios
G
Sampson
Shirlene
S
Kellner
Charles H
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
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