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Fractionation of visuo-spatial memory processes in bipolar depression: a cognitive scaffolding account

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2014

P. Gallagher ,
J. M. Gray  and
R. P. C. Kessels
P. Gallagher*
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
J. M. Gray
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
R. P. C. Kessels
Affiliation:
Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr P. Gallagher, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, The Henry Wellcome Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. (Email: peter.gallagher@ncl.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Background

Previous studies of neurocognitive performance in bipolar disorder (BD) have demonstrated impairments in visuo-spatial memory. The aim of the present study was to use an object-location memory (OLM) paradigm to assess specific, dissociable processes in visuo-spatial memory and examine their relationship with broader neurocognitive performance.

Method

Fifty participants (25 patients with BD in a current depressive episode and 25 matched healthy controls) completed the OLM paradigm which assessed three different aspects of visuo-spatial memory: positional memory, object-location binding, and a combined process. Secondary neurocognitive measures of visuo-spatial memory, verbal memory, attention and executive function were also administered.

Results

BD patients were significantly impaired on all three OLM processes, with the largest effect in exact positional memory (d = 1.18, p < 0.0001). General deficits were also found across the secondary neurocognitive measures. Using hierarchical regression, verbal learning was found to explain significant variance on the OLM measures where object-identity was present (the object-location binding and combined processes) and accounted for the group difference. The group difference in precise positional memory remained intact.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that patients with bipolar depression manifest deficits in visuo-spatial memory, with substantial impairment in fine-grain, positional memory. The differential profile of processes underpinning the visuo-spatial memory impairment suggests a form of ‘cognitive scaffolding’, whereby performance on some measures can be supported by verbal memory. These results have important implications for our understanding of the functional cognitive architecture of mood disorder.

Keywords

Bipolar disorderdepressionneuropsychologyspatial memoryverbal memory
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 3 , February 2015 , pp. 545 - 558
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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