Malondialdehyde plasma concentration correlates with declarative and working memory in patients with recurrent depressive disorder

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the cognitive decline, especially in memory impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with recurrent depressive disorders (rDD) and to define relationship between plasma levels of MDA and the cognitive performance. The study comprised 46 patients meeting criteria for rDD. Cognitive function assessment was based on: The Trail Making Test , The Stroop Test, Verbal Fluency Test and Auditory-Verbal Learning Test. The severity of depression symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Statistically significant differences were found in the intensity of depression symptoms, measured by the HDRS on therapy onset versus the examination results after 8 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). Considering the 8-week pharmacotherapy period, rDD patients presented better outcomes in cognitive function tests. There was no statistically significant correlation between plasma MDA levels, and the age, disease duration, number of previous depressive episodes and the results in HDRS applied on admission and on discharge. Elevated levels of MDA adversely affected the efficiency of visual-spatial and auditory-verbal working memory, short-term declarative memory and the delayed recall declarative memory. 1. Higher concentration of plasma MDA in rDD patients is associated with the severity of depressive symptoms, both at the beginning of antidepressants pharmacotherapy, and after 8 weeks of its duration. 2. Elevated levels of plasma MDA are related to the impairment of visual-spatial and auditory-verbal working memory and short-term and delayed declarative memory.

Oxidative Stress and Major Depression

“…It has been reported that elevated MDA was related with different depressive disorder, like auditory-verbal working memory, impairment of visualspatial, and, short-term and delayed declarative memory [6,20,21]. In several studies, MDA levels have been found to be increased in depression [17,22].…”

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Depressive Disorders

“…In patients with DD, elevated levels of MDA adversely affect the efficiency of visual-spatial and auditory-verbal working memory, short-term declarative memory and delayed recall declarative memory [51]. Higher concentration of plasma MDA in patients with recurrent depression is associated with the severity of depressive symptoms, both at the beginning of antidepressant pharmacotherapy, and after 8 weeks of treatment.…”

Serum ApoB levels in depressive patients: associated with cognitive deficits

“…The underlying mechanisms responsible for this could be that serum high ApoB levels are related to the dysfunctions of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and immune system that could been caused by oxidative stress and free radicals of depressive disorders that is associated with cognitive decline36373839. Elevated levels of MDA have been reported to adversely affect the efficiency of delayed memory in patients with depressive disorder40. The postmortem and blood studies have shown that oxidative stress and cytokines played an important role in patients with depressive disorder414243, which influenced cognitive functions44.…”