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

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Adult Psychiatry, Medical University of Lodz, Aleksandrowska 159, 91-229, Lodz, Poland

    Monika Talarowska, Piotr Gałecki, Marcelina Chamielec, Agata Orzechowska & Kinga Bobińska

  2. Maes Clinics @ TRIA, Piyavate Hospital, 998 Rimklongsamsen Road, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand

    Michael Maes

  3. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ann Gardner

  4. Department Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

    Edward Kowalczyk

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  1. Monika Talarowska
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  2. Piotr Gałecki
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Correspondence to Monika Talarowska.

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Monika Talarowska and Piotr Gałecki contributed equally to this work.

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Talarowska, M., Gałecki, P., Maes, M. et al. Malondialdehyde plasma concentration correlates with declarative and working memory in patients with recurrent depressive disorder. Mol Biol Rep 39, 5359–5366 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-011-1335-8

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