Related Experiment Videos
Mood improvement reduces memory complaints in depressed patients
R Antikainen1, T Hänninen, K Honkalampi
1Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. risto.antikainen@kuh.fi
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
|April 24, 2001
Summary
Memory complaints in depressed patients often improve as mood and other mental symptoms lessen. Cognitive performance did not significantly change with memory complaint reduction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Investigated associations between memory complaints, cognitive function, and mood in clinically depressed patients.
- Included 174 neurologically healthy adults assessed at baseline and over six months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between subjective memory complaints and objective cognitive performance in depression.
- To understand how mood changes influence memory complaints during treatment.
Main Methods:
- Assessed subjective memory using the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MCQ).
- Evaluated cognitive function with neuropsychological tests.
- Measured mood and symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Symptom Check List (SCL-90).
Main Results:
- Patients with memory complaints had higher depression scores (BDI, HDRS) and poorer objective memory at baseline.
- Memory complaints decreased during follow-up, correlating with mood improvement and reduced other mental symptoms.
- Age and improvement in BDI scores independently predicted reduced memory complaints.
Conclusions:
- Subjective memory problems in depressed individuals tend to decrease as depression is alleviated.
- Mood improvement is a key factor in resolving memory complaints, independent of cognitive performance changes.