Cited by 25Tryptophan and brain disordersStress Responses and CortisolTreatment of Major Depression

Investigating whether a combination of higher CRP and depression is differentially associated with worse executive functioning in a cohort of 43,896 adults

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Mac Giollabhui, Naoise, Alloy, Lauren B., Schweren, Lizanne J.S., Hartman, Catharina A.·2021·Brain Behavior and Immunity

Abstract

Many depressed individuals experience difficulties in executive functioning that contribute substantially to functional impairment. It is unknown whether a subtype of depression characterized by chronic inflammation is differentially associated with worse executive functioning. This study examined whether the combination of depression and higher C reactive protein (CRP) is differentially associated with worse executive functioning and whether this association is stronger in older adults. This cross-sectional study analyzed data collected from a population-representative sample of 43,896 adults aged 44.13 years (SD = 13.52) who participated in the baseline assessment of the Lifelines cohort study. Multivariate regression models tested whether depressed individuals (established via structured interview) exhibiting higher levels of inflammation (indexed via high-sensitivity CRP assay following an overnight fast) performed worse on a behavioral test of executive functioning. Depression (B = -3.66, 95% CI: -4.82, -2.49, p < .001) and higher log-transformed CRP (B = -0.67, 95% CI: -0.87,-0.47, p < .001) were associated with worse executive functioning, after adjustment for age, sex, educational attainment, body mass index, smoking status, exposure to stressful life events and chronic stressors, sedentary behavior, and number of chronic medical conditions. Depressed individuals with higher log-transformed CRP exhibited differentially poorer executive functioning (B = -1.09, 95% CI: -2.07,-0.11, p < .001). This association did not differ based on age (B = 0.01, 95% CI: -0.08, 0.10, p = .82). Executive functioning is poorer in depressed individuals with higher CRP, even in early adulthood. Interventions that reduce inflammation may improve cognitive functioning in depression.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.05.022

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  • In 43,896 adults, depression and higher CRP levels were both associated with worse executive functioning, even after covariates adjustment.

    “A cross-sectional study recruiting 43,896 adults examined the association between CRP levels and depression in terms of executive functioning [56]. MINI and Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT) were administered to the sample. The study reported that depression and higher CRP levels were both associated with worse executive functioning, even after covariates adjustment.”
  • Depressed subjects with higher levels of CRP showed poorer executive functioning than the control individuals.

    “Moreover, depressed subjects with higher levels of CRP showed poorer executive functioning than the control individuals [56].”

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  1. [55]Hendriks A, Ormel J, van de Willige G. Long-term difficulties measured by a self-report questionnaire and semi-structured interview: a comparison of methods. Gedrag en Gezondheid 1990; 18: 273– 283.

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Authors
Mac Giollabhui, N., Alloy, L. B., Schweren, L. J. S., & Hartman, C. A.
Affiliations
  • Temple University (US)
  • University of Groningen (NL)
Venue
Brain Behavior and Immunity
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-08
Volume
96
Pages
127-134
ISSN
0889-1591 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3165158658
Cited by
25
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2020: 1
FWCI
1.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Brain Behavior and Immunity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • American Psychological Foundation
  • Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland
  • National Institute of Mental Health (F31MH118808, MH101168, MH079369)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
depression, C-reactive protein, executive function, chronic inflammation, cognitive impairment in depression, older adults, early adulthood, Lifelines cohort, high-sensitivity CRP
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, C-Reactive Protein, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Humans, Cohort Studies, Executive Function

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