title: Investigating the separate and interactive associations of trauma and depression on neurocognition in urban dwelling adults.
abstract: Trauma and depression have each been associated with neurocognitive alterations, but their combined effect on neurocognition is unclear. We investigated the separate and interactive associations of trauma and depression on neurocognition in a sample of ethnically diverse urban dwellers, and explored the impact of age on these effects.
  
  
  
  284 adults aged 30-89 were divided into groups based on their current depression and trauma history. Individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for depression were considered Depressed (D+) and individuals rated through diagnostic interview as having trauma history were considered positive for Trauma (T+). Resulting Ns were 73 D+T+, 56 D+T-, 68 D-T+, and 87 D-T-. A principal component analysis of neuropsychological scores resulted in a 3-factor solution representing verbal learning/memory/recognition (VERBAL-LMR), visual learning/memory/recognition, and speeded attention/cognitive flexibility accounting for 70.21% of the variance.
  
  
  
  Multivariable linear regressions adjusting for age revealed that Trauma, regardless of Depression, is associated with worse VERBAL-LMR performance. This Trauma association was driven by verbal list and prose passages learning and memory, but not recognition memory. Age-stratified (<60 versus ≥60 years) regressions revealed the Trauma association was only significant for older adults. No main or interactive effects for Depression were observed.
  
  
  
  Trauma, regardless of Depression, is associated with worse verbal learning and memory, but not recognition performance. These results suggest that trauma exposure may negatively impact neurocognition. Clinicians working with adults in urban settings should query for trauma in addition to depression when considering subjective and objective measures of neurocognitive functioning, particularly in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Aimee James
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Karstens
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Leah H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Stewart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shankman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Olusola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ajilore
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine-Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, United States.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Libon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. Electronic address: melissa_lamar@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Aging; Depression; Learning; Memory; Neurocognition; Trauma