A distinct pattern of memory and attention deficiency in patients with depression
Open accessAbstract
Background: Depression related cognitive deficits are frequently considered as simple epiphenomena of the disorder. However, whether or not the depression might directly bring about cognitive deficits is still under investigation. This study was to investigate the distinctpattern of cognitive deficits in patients with depression by comparing the cognitive function before and after anti-depressive drug therapy. Methods: Sixty cases of patients, first-time diagnosed with depression, were assessed by 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD 17 scale). The memory ability was tested by quantitatively clinical memory scale, while the attention ability by modified Ruff 2&7 Selective Attention Test. Forty-two healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The depressive patients were treated with Venlafaxine (75-300 mg/d), Fluoxetine (20-40 mg/d), Paroxetine (20-40 mg/d), and Sertraline (50-150 mg/d). After 12 weeks treatment, patients were tested again by HAMD 17 scale, quantitatively clinical memory scale, and modified Ruff 2&7 selective attention test to assess the effect of anti-depressive drugs on cognitive deficits. Results: The memory quotient (MQ) was significantly lowered in depressive patients. The selection speed was also significantly decreased and the number of missing and error hits increased in the depression group as compared to control. However, there was no significant difference in clinical memory scale and Ruff 2&7 selective attention test between mild-to-moderate and severe depression group. Importantly, after anti-depressive drug therapy, the HAMD 17 scale scores in depressive patients were significantly decreased, but the MQ, directional memory (DM), free recall (FR), associative learning (AL), and face recognition were comparable with those before the treatment. Furthermore, the selection speed and the number of missing and error hits were also not significantly different after anti-depressive drugs treatment. Conclusions: Depressive patients suffer from short-term memory deficits, and attention extent, stability and rearrangement deficiency. Even though anti-depressive drugs sufficiently relieve the cardinal presentation of depression, they could not successfully alleviate the accompanying cognitive deficits. This might indicate a distinct pattern of cognitive deficits in patients with depression.
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SSRIs, currently the first-line class of pharmacologic treatment for depression, have generally not been shown to improve attention.
“Unfortunately, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), currently the first-line class of pharmacologic treatment for depression, have generally not been shown to improve attention.”
From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [100]
Many studies show no change in selective attention with SSRI treatment.
“Many studies, albeit largely observational or with a mix of medications used, show no change in sustained attention25,99, selective attention100, or divided attention5,101, despite improvements in mood symptoms.”
From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [100]
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References 28 · Cited by 26
- Authors
- Luo, L.-L., Chen, X., Chai, Y., Li, J.-H., Zhang, M., & Zhang, J.-N.
- Affiliations
- Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (CN)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Chinese Medical Journal
- Published
- 2013-03-20
- Volume
- 126
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1144-1149
- ISSN
- 0366-6999 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W142770582
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 2.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Chinese Medical Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- depression, cognitive impairment, memory impairment, attention deficits, selective attention, short-term memory, antidepressant treatment, venlafaxine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, depression severity, face recognition, associative learning
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Antidepressive Agents, Cognition Disorders, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Young Adult
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