Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Implicit and Explicit Memory Performance

Completed

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

• Registration Number: NCT06663423
• Lead Sponsor: Islamic Azad University, Tehran

Brief Summary

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.

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 Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-08-10
• Primary Completion: 2024-08-30
• Study Completion: 2024-09-30
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Study First Submitted: 2024-10-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-10-27
• Study First Posted: 2024-10-29
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-29
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 27

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 & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Explicit Memory Bias	At a single time point during the experimental session, approximately 1 day	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.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Implicit Memory Bias	At a single time point during the experimental session, approximately 1 hour	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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and/or Shahid Esmaili Clinic.; 🇮🇷 Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of