Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Implicit and Explicit Memory Performance (ADEM)

Cohort Study on the Differential Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Implicit and Explicit Memory Performance

This study examines the effect of anxiety and depression on memory processes, focusing on implicit and explicit memory. Implicit memory involves unconscious recall, such as recognizing familiar words without effort, while explicit memory requires conscious recollection of specific information. The study aims to investigate whether individuals with depression and anxiety show differences in these types of memory, which may contribute to biases related to their emotional states.

Participants were divided into three groups: individuals with depressive disorder, individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, and a control group with no emotional disorders. Each group was assessed using tasks designed to measure both implicit and explicit memory performance. The goal is to enhance understanding of memory biases in individuals with depression and anxiety, potentially supporting more targeted interventions.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD); Implicit Memory; Memory Bias; Explicit Memory

Detailed Description

This cohort study is designed to explore potential memory biases in individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders compared to a control group. The study includes 27 participants divided into three groups: nine individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder, nine with generalized anxiety disorder, and nine control subjects with no history of emotional disorders. All participants were matched by age and education level.

Participants completed standardized tasks and assessments, including the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and various memory tasks such as word decoding and recognition memory tasks. These tasks aim to evaluate mood-congruent biases in memory recall. Data collection will focus on analyzing any distinct memory processing patterns in depression and anxiety to improve psychological treatment approaches.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 27

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of, 14176
    • Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and/or Shahid Esmaili Clinic.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

A sample of individuals from Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and Shahid Esmaili Clinic, including patients with depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and a control group of healthy individuals with no history of emotional disorders.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (Group 1)
• Individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (Group 2)
• Healthy individuals with no history of emotional disorders (Group 3)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neurological disorders
• Visual impairments
• Substance abuse or drug addiction
• Psychiatric hospitalizations unrelated to primary diagnosis (for Groups 1 and 2)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Group 1; Depressive Disorder group - 9 participants.
Group 2; Generalized Anxiety Disorder group - 9 participants.
Group 3; Control group - 9 participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Explicit Memory Bias	The primary outcome is to assess explicit memory bias by measuring word recognition in participants with depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and a control group. Word recognition accuracy and response times are evaluated to determine mood-congruent biases specific to each group.	At a single time point during the experimental session, approximately 1 day

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Implicit Memory Bias	Secondary outcome is to assess implicit memory bias using a tachistoscopic word recognition task, measuring participants' ability to identify emotionally congruent words (e.g., words associated with depression, anxiety, and neutral words) without conscious awareness.	At a single time point during the experimental session, approximately 1 hour

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mood Congruence in Recognition Performance	Analysis of mood-congruent recognition performance across different emotional word types (depression-related, anxiety-related, pleasant, and neutral) to determine if participants show selective attention based on mood.	At a single time point during the experimental session, approximately 1 hour

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Islamic Azad University, Tehran

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 10, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 30, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): September 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 25, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 27, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): October 29, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 31, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 29, 2024
• Last Verified: October 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Anxiety; Cognitive Bias; Psychological Disorders; Memory Processing; Emotional Influence on Memory; Word Recognition Task; Mood-Congruent Memory
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Mood Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major
• Other Study ID Numbers: SDU-MEMORY-2024

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No