Cognitive Impairment in Affective Disorders: Relation to Illness Characteristics

Abstract

Previous research has shown cognitive disturbances after recovery in affective disorder. In the present follow-up study of old-age patients with recurrent depression cognitive function in the euthymic phase was investigated and compared with measures of illness. Cognitive decline correlated with the number of hospital admissions and the number of episodes and less with the duration of illness and slightly negatively with age at onset. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between cognitive impairment and intensity of illness, defined as the number of admissions divided by the number of years of illness. Especially patients with decreasing cycle lengths suffered cognitive impairment.

Current or previous treatment or differences in social characteristics could not explain the dysfunctions. However, it is discussed whether the findings may be a result of a kindling-like phenomenon suggesting a connection between kindling in the limbic system, recurrence of phases, and cognitive dysfunction in affective disorder.

Key Words:

• Cognition
• Cycle length
• Depressive
• Euthymic
• Kindling