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NCT Number: NCT06663423

Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Implicit and Explicit Memory Performance

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Explicit Memory Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Implicit Memory Memory Bias Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and/or Shahid Esmaili Clinic.

Tehran, Tehran Province, 14176, Iran

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Explicit Memory Bias

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Implicit Memory Bias

    Time frame: 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.

Other outcomes

  1. Mood Congruence in Recognition Performance

    Time frame: At a single time point during the experimental session, approximately 1 hour

    Analysis of mood-congruent recognition performance across different emotional word types (depression-related, anxiety-related, pleasant, and neutral) to determine if participants show selective attention based on mood.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Cohort Study on the Differential Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Implicit and Explicit Memory Performance

Acronym: ADEM

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Oct 29, 2024
Registry last updated
Oct 31, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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