Is there a combined effect of depression and cognitive reserve on cognitive function? Findings from a...

To analyse the combined effect of depression and cognitive reserve (CR) on cognition over a three-year follow-up period; and to explore this relationship specifically in individuals aged 65+ years.

Data from the 'Edad con Salud' project were analysed (n = 1,144; 50+ years).

The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to evaluate depression. CR was assessed with the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire. Episodic memory was assessed with the word list memory and recall. Verbal fluency was measured through the animal naming task. Random coefficient regression analyses were performed.

Depression was associated with lower scores in episodic memory, whereas increased levels of CR were related with higher scores across all the cognitive tests. Among older-aged individuals, cognition decreased at lower levels of CR regardless of depression, while participants with depression exhibited decreased values in both measures of memory at higher levels of CR.

Depression and CR were related with cognitive performance. Among older individuals, those with low levels of CR may constitute a vulnerable group with poor cognitive prognosis, whilst a harmful effect of depression on memory performance was observed among individuals with greater CR. Further evidence needs to be gathered to understand these associations.