Longitudinal Association Between Cognition and Depression in Patients With Late-Life Depression: A Cross-Lagged Design Study

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> Although previous studies have extensively confirmed the cross-sectional relationship between cognitive impairment and depression in depressed elderly patients, the findings of their longitudinal associations are still mixed. The purpose of this study was to explore the two-way causal relationship between depression symptoms and cognition in patients with late-life depression (LLD). <b>Methods:</b> A total of 90 patients with LLD were assessed across two time points (baseline and 1-year follow up) on measures of 3 aspects of cognition and depressive symptoms. The data were then fitted to a structural equation model to examine two cross-lagged effects. <b>Results:</b> Depressive symptoms predicted a decline in executive function (β = 0.864, <i>p</i> = 0.049) but not vice versa. Moreover, depressive symptoms were predicted by a decline in scores of working memory test (β = -0.406, <i>p</i> = 0.023), respectively. None of the relationships between the two factors was bidirectional. <b>Conclusion:</b> These results provide robust evidence that the relationship between cognition and depressive symptoms is unidirectional. Depressive symptoms may be a risk factor for cognitive decline. The decrease of information processing speed predicts depressive symptoms.