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Longitudinal associations of affective symptoms with mid-life cognitive function: evidence from a British birth cohort
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 16:34 authored by Amber John, Sarah-Naomi James, Urvisha Patel, Jennifer Rusted, Marcus Richards, Darya GaysinaDarya GaysinaBackground Affective disorders are associated with poorer cognition in older adults; however, whether this association can already be observed in mid-life remains unclear. Aims To investigate the effects of affective symptoms over a period of 30 years on mid-life cognitive function. First, we explored whether timing (sensitive period) or persistence (accumulation) of affective symptoms predicted cognitive function. Second, we tested how different longitudinal trajectories of affective symptoms were associated with cognitive function. Method The study used data from the National Child Development Study. Memory, verbal fluency, information processing speed and accuracy were measured at age 50. Affective symptoms were measured at ages 23, 33, 42 and 50 and used to derive longitudinal trajectories. A structured modelling approach compared a set of nested models in order to test accumulation versus sensitive period hypotheses. Linear regressions and structural equation modelling were used to test for longitudinal associations of affective symptoms with cognitive function. Results Accumulation of affective symptoms was found to be the best fit for the data, with persistent affective symptoms being associated with poorer immediate memory (b = -0.07, s.e. = 0.03, P = 0.01), delayed memory (b = -0.13, s.e. = 0.04, P < 0.001) and information processing accuracy (b = 0.18, s.e. = 0.08, P = 0.03), but not with information processing speed (b = 3.15, s.e. = 1.89, P = 0.10). Longitudinal trajectories of repeated affective symptoms were associated with poorer memory, verbal fluency and information processing accuracy. Conclusions Persistent affective symptoms can affect cognitive function in mid-life. Effective management of affective disorders to prevent recurrence may reduce risk of poor cognitive outcomes and promote healthy cognitive ageing.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
British Journal of PsychiatryISSN
0007-1250Publisher
Cambridge University PressExternal DOI
Issue
5Volume
215Page range
675-682Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Dementia Research Group Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-01-17First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-01-17First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-01-16Usage metrics
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