The characteristics of cognitive function in patients with depression

Abstract

Objective To study the characteristics of cognitive impairment in depressive patients. Method 80 depressive patients and 80 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Their cognitive function was assessed with trail making test A and B, verbal fluency test (animals), modified Wisconsin card sorting test, and Tower of Hanoi test. 17-Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD17) was used to assess characteristics of symptoms. A brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) was used to screen the patients with psychiatric symptoms. Results (1) Neuropsychological results about trail making test A or B, verbal fluency test, WCST, Tower of Hanoi test were much worse in depressive patients than in normal control (P＜0.05). (2) The neuropsychological results of psychotic depressive patients with psychotic symptoms were worse than that of the ones without psychotic symptoms. There was significant difference at time of trail making test Af (77.2±49.3) s, (59.2±29.3) s, respectively] and B f(121.6±40.0) s, (84.7±36.4) s,respectively [between them(P＜0.05). Conclusion The cognitive impairment was wide in depressive patients and more serious in psychotic depressive patients. Key words: Depression; Cognitive function; Psychotic symptoms