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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Calum HamiltonORCiD, Dr Paul DonaghyORCiD, Professor John-Paul TaylorORCiD, Joanna Ciafone, Dr Rory Durcan, Dr Michael FirbankORCiD, Professor John O'Brien, Professor Alan ThomasORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Background Depressive symptoms are common in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These may be associated with poorer cognitive function, and increased risks of dementia transition. Aims We aimed to examine the cognitive patterns associated with variations in depressive symptoms in neurodegenerative MCI without primary mood disorder. Method Individuals with MCI (n=123) including MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease (n=54) and MCI with Lewy bodies (n=69) underwent repeated annual assessment of cognitive function and concurrent depressive symptoms using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination – Revised and Geriatric Depression Scale-15, respectively. Between- and within-person differences in depressive symptoms were disaggregated and related to between- and within-person cognitive differences and modification of cognitive performance trajectories over time. Results There was strong evidence of a state-based association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function. Intra-individual differences in depressive symptoms were negatively associated with concurrent cognitive performance such that a two-point increase in depressive score explained a one-point decrease in cognitive score, on average (Point Estimate = -0.56, 95% CrI = -1.05 to -0.08). The data did not support a trait-based association between depressive symptoms and cognitive performance (Point Estimate = 0.10, 95% CrI = -0.42 to 0.59), nor any between- or within-person trajectory modification associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions Within-person variations in depressive symptom severity are associated with acute cognitive performance differences. Cognitive scores derived during active depressive periods may under-estimate longer-term cognitive capabilities. Treating depressive symptoms in MCI may clarify underlying cognitive performance capacity, and help maintain optimal cognitive function for longer.
Author(s): Hamilton CA, Donaghy PC, Taylor JP, Ciafone J, Durcan R, Firbank M, Greenfinch G, Allan LM, O'Brien JT, Thomas AJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: The British Journal of Psychiatry
Year: 2025
Pages: Epub ahead of print
Online publication date: 27/08/2025
Acceptance date: 03/07/2025
Date deposited: 03/07/2025
ISSN (print): 0007-1250
ISSN (electronic): 1472-1465
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2025.10341
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2025.10341
Data Access Statement: Data from the cohorts used in these analyses are available through the Dementias Platform UK data portal.
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