Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Performance in Elderly
Author Information
Author(s): James R. Hall, Sid E. O'Bryant, Leigh A. Johnson, Robert C. Barber
Primary Institution: University of North Texas Health Sciences Center
Hypothesis
Depressive symptoms and neuropsychological testing would interact differentially among cognitively normal elderly compared to elderly subjects with mild Alzheimer's disease.
Conclusion
The study found that specific clusters of depressive symptoms and disease status, as well as gender, can differentially impact neuropsychological domains.
Supporting Evidence
- Depressive symptoms were significantly related to specific neurocognitive domains in Alzheimer's patients.
- Apathy and cognitive impairment were significantly related to neuropsychological functioning among controls.
- Gender differences were observed in the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive performance.
Takeaway
This study looked at how feelings of sadness and lack of motivation affect thinking skills in older people, especially those with Alzheimer's disease.
Methodology
Cross-sectional analysis with a standard battery of neuropsychological tests and the Geriatric Depression Scale.
Potential Biases
The sample was limited to mild AD, which may not represent the full spectrum of Alzheimer's disease.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional and predominantly Caucasian, limiting generalizability; it also excluded individuals with high levels of depression or major depression.
Participant Demographics
628 elderly individuals (272 with mild AD and 356 controls), predominantly Caucasian (93%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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