Nature and Determinants of Cognitive Functions in Late-life Major depressive disorders in Remitted phase

• Main Authors: Yi-Chun Yeh, 葉怡君
• Other Authors: Cheng-Chung Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41949223672159981394

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 醫學系神經學科碩士班 === 96 === Depression in late life is a common elderly psychiatric disorder with significant morbidity, including cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment in late-life depression (LLD) would increase the risk of dementia so it is important to investigate the cognitive function of LLD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cognitive impairment in remitted LLD and the related clinical variables. Study group was composed of seventy four elders with major depressive disorder in remission and seventy four normal controls were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological batteries. Patients with remitted LLD had core cognitive impairment in the memory and executive function. Later age at onset of first depressive episode is the risk factor of executive dysfunction. The results of this study show that the memory and executive impairments seem to be trait characteristics of late-life depression. Therefore, the clinicians are advised to closely monitor the cognitive function in LLD even in remitted state. Further studies examining the mechanisms of the cognitive impairment in remitted LLD are suggested to develop early intervention to avoid progression to dementia.