Tangemann, Annette (2024) The relationship between late-life depression and cognitive decline and the impact of lifestyle factors. Master thesis, Psychology.
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A.M.Tanegmann_Masterthesis_ The relationship between late-life depression and cognitive decline and the impact of lifestyle factors.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Late-life depression has previously been associated with cognitive decline, and this association may be moderated by severity of depression as well as lifestyle factors. We used a longitudinal dataset of 378 older adults with depression and 132 controls, with six years of follow-up, across six measures of cognitive function (verbal processing speed, interference control, verbal memory imprinting and delayed recall, working memory and memory span). Using linear mixed models, we compared trajectories of cognitive decline between the depressed and control groups, and whether these trajectories were influenced by depression severity and lifestyle factors. We found that depressed older adults experienced more cognitive decline compared to controls, but only on the measure of memory span (p < .001). Depression severity did not influence trajectories of cognitive decline. Smoking and physical activity were associated with greater cognitive decline, but only in the control group. Further research into the underlying mechanisms of these associations is warranted to inform targeted interventions.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Scheenen, M.E. and Zuidersma, M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Mar 2024 15:52 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Mar 2024 15:52 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3226 |
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