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Depression and cognitive deficits in geriatric schizophrenia
Emily D'Antonio1, Mark R Serper
1Department of Psychology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA.
Schizophrenia Research
|November 11, 2011
Summary
In geriatric schizophrenia patients, increased depression severity enhances memory and attention, unlike in younger individuals. This finding contrasts with typical patterns seen in younger patients and non-patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Comorbid depression in schizophrenia spectrum disorders typically worsens cognitive deficits, particularly in memory and attention.
- However, studies on geriatric schizophrenia patients suggest depression may be linked to enhanced cognitive performance, contrary to younger populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits in geriatric schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients.
- To examine how depression severity influences memory, attention, and global cognition in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 71 geriatric schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients (mean age 63.7) on an acute psychiatric inpatient service were assessed.
- Cognitive function was evaluated using a battery of tests for memory and attention.
- Symptom severity was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS).
Main Results:
- Higher depression severity was significantly associated with enhanced attentional and verbal memory performance in geriatric patients.
- No association was found between depression severity and global cognitive functioning or adaptive functioning in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Depression severity is paradoxically linked to improved memory and attention in geriatric schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients, diverging from patterns in younger patients.
- Unlike younger samples, depression severity did not correlate with global cognitive or adaptive functioning in elderly schizophrenia patients.
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