Better Cognition Tied to Higher Relapse Risk for Depression in Remission

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

via HealthDay

WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026 -- Depression in remission (RD) is associated with a higher risk for future depression, with higher cognitive performance linked to higher risk, according to a study published online May 6 in BMJ Mental Health.

Angharad N. de Cates, D.Phil., from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and colleagues examined whether cognition is associated with subsequent depression in a study involving 1,862 U.K. Biobank participants with a history of RD who were age- and sex-matched to 1,862 participants without depression history or current antidepressant use.

The researchers found that participants with RD had a higher risk for future depression than controls (33 versus 13 percent), including when temporal differences in longitudinal assessment were accounted for (hazard ratio, 3.16). In controls, composite cognitive performance was inversely associated with future depression risk (0.25 percent at −1 standard deviation [SD], 0.20 percent at mean, and 0.15 percent at +1 SD). This relationship was reversed in RD (0.74 percent at −1 SD, 0.90 percent at mean, and 1.10 percent at +1 SD). Contributions were seen for executive functioning, processing speed, and reasoning task scores. There was an association for higher grey matter in default mode network regions with better concurrent cognitive performance across all participants, but not with future depression risk.

"Among people with previous depression, those with higher cognitive scores were more likely to experience a further depressive episode than those with lower scores -- the opposite pattern to that observed in controls," de Cates said in a statement.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2026-05-21 09:53

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords