title: Residual memory dysfunction in recurrent major depressive disorder--a longitudinal study from Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Large cohort studies have shown that recurrent depression is associated with a risk of developing dementia. Other studies have documented smaller hippocampal volume in patients with recurrent depression. It is speculative that a greater risk of developing dementia may result from a higher number of previous depressive episodes. This study compared patients with recurrent and single-episode depression in the remitted stage, and healthy controls to elucidate the impact of the number of depressive episodes on memory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Logical memory and visual reproduction subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised were given to 68 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (30 patients with a single episode and residual 38 patients with recurrent multiple episodes) and 57 healthy controls. The patients with MDD received memory assessment at the time of initial remission and at the follow-up period 3 years after remission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of initial remission, scores of both logical memory and visual reproduction subtests were significantly lower in both patient groups compared with healthy controls. At follow-up, memory dysfunction of the single-episode group disappeared, whereas scores in the recurrent group remained significantly lower than those of the single-episode group and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All patients in the present study were on antidepressant medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with recurrent MDD with multiple depressive episodes showed residual memory dysfunction even after 3 years of remission. Persistence of memory deficits in the recurrent depression may be a risk factor for developing dementia.
authors: Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo Koshigaya Hospital, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Hitoshi
authors: H
authors: Maeshima
authors: Hajime
authors: H
authors: Baba
authors: Yoshiyuki
authors: Y
authors: Nakano
authors: Emi
authors: E
authors: Satomura
authors: Yuki
authors: Y
authors: Namekawa
authors: Naoko
authors: N
authors: Takebayashi
authors: Toshihito
authors: T
authors: Suzuki
authors: Masaru
authors: M
authors: Mimura
authors: Heii
authors: H
authors: Arai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014888:Wechsler Scales
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents