Visual Memory Performance in Patients with Major Depression: A 9-Month Follow-Up

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate delayed recall, recognition, and visual-spatial memory among subjects (N = 24) with major depressive disorder (MDD) following 9 months of recovery from acute depression. Visual-spatial memory assessment was conducted using the Rey Complex Figure Test. In the acute phase, the MDD subjects performed significantly worse compared with control subjects in delayed recall and recognition. Following 9 months of recovery, there were no longer differences between groups. The MDD group made a significant improvement in terms of depressive symptoms and performed better in recall and recognition. The results suggest that depression and memory performance are linked.

Key words:

• cognitive function
• depression
• follow-up