The relationship between depression and cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between depression and cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Total 106 patients with MCI were selected from December 2020 to December 2021, including 53 patients with depression based on Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Total 106 normal cognitive function people who received physical examination at the same time were selected, also including 53 with depression. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to evaluate overall cognitive function, Rey⁃Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT) and Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were used to evaluate visual spatial ability, Logical Memory Test (LMT) and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) were used to evaluate memory, Stroop Colour⁃Word Test (SCWT) and Trail Making Test (TMT) were used to evaluate attention and executive function, Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Boston Naming Test (BNT) were used to evaluate verbal fluency and naming ability, and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL) were used to evaluate activities of daily living. Results There were statistically significant differences in cognitive function of multiple dimensions among 4 groups (P<0.05, for all). The MMSE and MoCA scores of the MCI group with depression were lower than those of the control group (P=0.000, for all), the depression group (P=0.000, for all) and the MCI group without depression (P=0.000, for all). The ROCFT⁃imitation, recall, and CDT scores in the MCI group with depression were lower than those in the control group (P=0.000, for all), the depression group (P=0.000, for all), and the MCI group without depression (P=0.000, for all). The LMT⁃immediate and delayed recall scores of the MCI group were lower than those of the control group (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.002, 0.001) and the depression group (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.040, 0.043). The LMT⁃delayed recall scores of the MCI group with depression were lower than those of the MCI group without depression (P=0.030). The AVLT⁃immediate recall, short delayed recall, long delayed recall, and recognition scores in the MCI group with depression were lower than those in the control group (P=0.000, for all), the depression group (P=0.000, for all), and the MCI group without depression (P=0.009, 0.003, 0.017, 0.001). The time of SCWT⁃A, SCWT⁃B and SCWT⁃C, TMT⁃A, and TMT⁃B in the MCI group with depression was longer than that in the control group (P=0.001, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000), the depression group (P=0.008, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001), and the MCI group without depression (P=0.001, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.004). The correct number of SCWT⁃A, SCWT⁃B and SCWT⁃C was less than that in the control group (P=0.003, 0.008, 0.001), and the depression group (P=0.016, 0.031, 0.002). The correct number of SCWT⁃A and SCWT⁃C was lower than that of the MCI group without depressive (P=0.003, 0.008). The correct number of VFT⁃animals and vegetables, BNT in the MCI group with depression was lower than that in the control group (P=0.000, for all), the depression group (P=0.016, 0.003, 0.000), and the MCI group without depression (P=0.010, 0.005, 0.000). The ADL score of the MCI group with depression was higher than that of the control group (P=0.000), the depression group (P=0.001), and the MCI group without depression (P=0.000), while the ADL score of the depression group was higher than that of the control group (P=0.014) and the MCI group without depression (P = 0.001). The GDS scores of the control group and the MCI group without depressive were lower than those of the depressive group (P=0.000, for all) and the MCI group with depression (P=0.000, for all). Correlation analysis showed that GDS scores were correlated with MMSE (r=⁃0.300, P=0.000), MoCA (r=⁃0.357, P=0.000), ROCFT⁃copy (r=⁃0.192, P=0.006) and recall (r=⁃0.142, P=0.044), CDT (r=⁃0.171, P=0.015), LMT⁃immediate recall (r=⁃0.213, P=0.002), delayed recall (r=⁃0.193, P=0.005), AVLT⁃immediate recall (r=⁃0.159, P=0.021), short delay recall (r=⁃0.161, P=0.020) and long delay recall (r=⁃0.137, P=0.047), correct number of SCWT⁃A (r=⁃0.156, P=0.025), VFT⁃animals (r=⁃0.271, P=0.000) and vegetables (r=⁃0.145, P=0.038), BNT (r=⁃0.194, P=0.005) were negatively correlated; compared with the completion time of SCWT⁃A (r=0.162, P=0.020), SCWT⁃B (r=0.189, P=0.007), SCWT⁃C (r=0.184, P=0.009) and TMT⁃A (r=0.189, P=0.006), and ADL score (r=0.367, P=0.000) were positively correlated. Conclusions MCI patients with depression have more extensive and severe cognitive deficits, and their psycho⁃mental states should be paid more attention.

Keywords

• cognition disorders
• depression
• neuropsychological tests