Abstract
BackgroundEvidence suggests obesity exerts a negative impact on cognition. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is also linked to problems in cognitive functioning. Obesity is highly prevalent in individuals with MDD and is linked to a failure to return to a full level of functioning. The study’s objective was to investigate the effect of obesity on cognitive impairment in participants with MDD.MethodsThis study compared cognitive performance in obese individuals with MDD and two control populations (obese individuals without a psychiatric illness and non-obese controls). A standardized battery of neuropsychological tests specifically designed to assess performance in declarative memory, executive functioning, processing speed and attention was administered. Mood ratings, physical measurements, nutritional and health questionnaires were also completed.ResultsWe observed a consistent pattern across measures of memory, executive functioning, attention and processing speed. Whereas healthy controls performed better than both bariatric groups across the majority of measures administered, bariatric controls tended to outperform bariatric MDD patients.LimitationsThe overall sample size of our study was small and thus largely explorative in nature. However, it provides compelling results (while controlling for extraneous variables such as medication load, nutritional status and common metabolic comordidities) that strongly urges for further investigation and study replication with larger sample sizes.ConclusionsWe found obesity has a subtle impact on cognition in obese individuals, and when obesity is present in individuals with MDD, this impact may be significant. It is important to minimize all modifiable variables that can add to cognitive burden in this population.
Highlights
Obesity is associated etiologically with cardiovascular disease, in part due to its contribution to risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension and type II diabetes (T2D) [1]
We observed a consistent pattern across measures of memory, executive functioning, attention and processing speed
We found obesity has a subtle impact on cognition in obese individuals, and when obesity is present in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), this impact may be significant
Summary
Obesity is associated etiologically with cardiovascular disease, in part due to its contribution to risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension and type II diabetes (T2D) [1]. Public health interest in obesity prevention and treatment has been significant [2]. This effort has begun to target specific populations, as there is an inherent increased vulnerability towards weight gain associated with mental illness. Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), an illness predicted to be the main cause of disability worldwide by 2020 [3], have a 21% higher risk of developing obesity than the general population according to the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) [4]. Evidence suggests obesity exerts a negative impact on cognition. The study’s objective was to investigate the effect of obesity on cognitive impairment in participants with MDD
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