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Bidirectional Associations of Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Function Over Time
Jiamin Yin1,2,3, Amber John4, Dorina Cadar1,2,5
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
JAMA Network Open
|June 11, 2024
Summary
Depressive symptoms and memory decline in older adults are bidirectionally linked. Increased depressive symptoms accelerate memory loss, and memory decline can worsen depressive symptoms over time.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Cognitive decline and depressive symptoms frequently co-occur in older adults, sharing underlying mechanisms.
- The precise directionality of the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and depressive symptoms remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function.
- Examined English adults aged 50 years and older over a 16-year period.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bivariate dual change score models to analyze associations.
- Included a nationally representative sample of 8268 community-dwelling English adults.
- Assessed cognitive function via memory and verbal fluency tests and depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.
Main Results:
- Higher depressive symptoms were cross-sectionally linked to poorer memory and verbal fluency at baseline.
- Increased depressive symptoms predicted accelerated memory decline.
- Memory decline also predicted an acceleration of depressive symptoms, indicating a bidirectional relationship for memory.
Conclusions:
- A bidirectional relationship exists between depressive symptoms and memory function in older adults.
- Changes in depressive symptoms influence the rate of memory decline, and vice versa.
- These findings highlight the intrinsic connection between mood and memory in aging.
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