Depression does lead to memory deficit

A new study has recently provided a deeper insight into the effects of depressive thoughts on the memory.

Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas stated that individuals with depressed mood show as much as a 12 percent reduction in memory compared to individuals without depressed mood when depressive thoughts are present, but perform similarly to individuals without depressed mood when depressive thoughts are not present.

Researchers assessed working memory, the cognitive function that allows the brain to store information for short periods of time so that other cognitive processes can occur simultaneously.

Nicholas Hubbard said that the findings implicated that therapeutic approaches such as teaching one to recognize and inhibit depressive thoughts could be a key aspect to treating cognitive deficits in depression.

Using the new study paradigm, the research team plans to study individuals who meet the clinical diagnosis for depression.