Differential effects of depressive symptoms on prospective and retrospective memory in old age

Abstract

The effects of depressive symptoms on prospective and retrospective memory were examined in a population-based sample of elderly persons (n = 404). Depression was assessed using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale and treated as a continuous variable. The variation in depressive symptoms ranged from no symptoms to presence of a clinical depression. Depressive symptoms had a negative effect on consolidation and retrieval in retrospective memory. However, the retrospective, but not the prospective, component of prospective memory was affected by depression. The findings are discussed in light of medial-temporal lobe alterations in depression.

This research was supported by grants to Åsa Livner from the Gamla Tjänarinnor Foundation and by grants from the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research and the Swedish Brain Power to Lars Bäckman.