Study on the function of the central executive of working memory in depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of depression and age factors on central executive's functions of updating, inhibition and, shifting. Methods Young and middle-aged depressive patients who met DSM-V diagnostic criteria and the healthy controls matched for age, gender and education were recruited in each group of 27 cases.Running Memory Task, Stop Signal Task and Task Switching were used to estimate the ability of updating,inhibition and shifting. The single sample t test,Chi-square test and covariance analysis were used to compare the differences between groups. Result (1) In accurate rate of the updating function task,the main effects of age and group were significant (F (1,104)=26.29, P<0.01) , (F (1,104)=100.72, P<0.01) , the interaction effect of the group and age was significant (F (1,104)=5.28, P<0.05) . (2) In accurate rate of the inhibition function task, the main effects of age and group were significant (F (1,104)=20.70, P<0.01) , (F (1,104)=5.57, P<0.05) , the interaction effect of the group and age wasn't significant (F (1,104)=0.59, P=0.45) ;In reaction time of the inhibition function task,the main effects of age and group were significant (F (1,104)=34.81, P<0.01) , (F (1,104)=28.10, P<0.01) , the interaction effect of the group and age was significant (F (1,104)=12.90, P<0.01) . (3) In Local Cost rate of shifting function task, the main effect of group wasn't significant (F (1,104)=1.45, P=0.38) , the main effect of age was significant (F (1,104)=37.31, P<0.01) , and the interaction effect of the group and age wasn't significant, which were consistent with the significant Global cost rate. Conclusions (1) There is a deficiency of updating function in depressive patients; Age factors affect updating function;The decline of updating function in middle-aged depressive patients is caused by both age and depression. (2)There is a deficiency of inhibition function in depressive patients; Age factors affect inhibition function;The decline of inhibition function in middle-aged depressive patients is caused by both age and depression however age plays a leading role.(3) Depressive patients do not suffer from impairment of their shifting function as a result of the disease. Key words: Depressive disorder; Working memory; Central executive function