A decrease in memory complaints is associated with mood improvement:: A twelve-month follow up-study of depressed patients

The aim of our twelve-month follow-up study was to investigate memory complaints in adult, clinically depressed, neurologically healthy patients, focusing on the relationship between mood and memory complaints. Subjective memory disturbance was assessed using the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MCQ) in a sample of 174 adult patients (mean age 44, range 21-64 years) suffering from depression. Levels of cognitive function, including memory, were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Mood and personality characteristics were assessed using rating scales, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). All measurements were repeated on follow up after six and twelve months. Changes in memory complaints during the follow-up period were primarily associated with a change in mood, mental symptoms, alexithymic features and psychosocial capacity, but not in cognitive performance. We conclude, that alleviation of depression in adult, neurologically healthy patients usually results in the alleviation of subjective memory impairment. This finding could be used to motivate a depressed patient with subjective memory impairment to seek treatment.