The effects of memory, attention, and executive dysfunction on outcomes of depression in a primary care intervention trial: the PROSPECT study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE-To describe the influence of domains of cognition on remission and response of depression in an intervention trial among older primary care patients.METHODS-Twenty primary care practices were randomly assigned to Usual Care or to an Intervention consisting of a depression care manager offering algorithm-based care for depression. In all, 599 adults 60 years and older with a depression diagnosis were included in these analyses. Depression severity and remission of depression were assessed by the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was our global measure of cognitive function. Verbal memory was assessed with the memory subscale of the Dementia Rating Scale. Attention was measured with the digit span from the Weschler Adult Intelligence Test. Response inhibition, one of the executive functions, was assessed with the Stroop Color-Word test. RESULTS-The intervention was associated with improved remission and response rates regardless of cognitive impairment. Response inhibition as measured by the Stroop Color-Word test appeared to significantly modify the intervention versus usual care difference in remission and response at 4 months. Patients in the poorest performance quartile at baseline on the Stroop ColorWord test in the Intervention Condition were more likely to achieve remission of depression at 4 months than comparable patients in Usual Care (odds ratio (OR) = 17.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.06, 103.1]).CONCLUSIONS-Depressed older adults in primary care with executive dysfunction have low remission and response rates when receiving usual care but benefit from depression care management.

Anterior cingulate dysfunction in geriatric depression

“…These observations were replicated (Alexopoulos et al, , 2005aMarcos et al, 2005;Bogner et al, 2007). The relationship of executive dysfunction to poor remission of geriatric depression was specific to this cognitive abnormality, as memory impairment was not related to these outcomes.…”

Depression and Cognition in the Elderly

“…Given that these medical illnesses have well-recognized psychiatric comorbidities and comorbid cognitive impairment, interventions in the primary care setting that target suicidality in these populations may be beneficial. Studies suggest that interventions such as the availability of a depression care manager in conjunction with medication management may have significant utility for depressed older individuals with cognitive impairment (Bogner et al 2007, Steffens et al 2006. Additional studies will be beneficial to determine whether or not these interventions may be useful for decreasing suicidal ideation not only in older adults with medical disorders, comorbid cognitive impairment, and suicidal ideation but also in the larger population.…”

Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in Mexico City

“…However, the relationship between depression and dementia could be more complex. Thus, depression could be an early symptom of undiagnosed dementia or share common risk factors with dementia [48][49] .…”