Grant: Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data

Depression is a major public health issue in Canada, affecting up to 1 in 8 Canadians. As more Canadians age than ever before, people living with cognitive symptoms will increase with time. Having depression can potentially worsen this cognitive decline in ageing Canadian population. Further, it is not yet known how depressive symptoms and cognitive decline evolve over time, and if these are modified by presence of depression, and, in those with depression, use of antidepressants or presence of neurological comorbidities. Poor cognitive performance has been linked to poor ability to carry out daily activities of living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs, further increasing the risk of dementia. We will leverage the longitudinal quality of CLSA data to examine how depression and cognition change over time, and if these trajectories differ between those with depression vs. those without. We will also evaluate the effect of antidepressants and comorbidities on the depressive symptoms-cognitive decline in those with depression. To do so, we will use standardized scores of change in depression and cognition and measure the change from baseline to follow-up1 of the comprehensive cohort of the CLSA. Our findings will create critical knowledge and further our understanding of the already existing link between depression and cognition, specifically underpinning the dynamic nature of these symptoms. Most importantly, they will explore how potentially improving depressive scores could improve cognitive scores, which may support use of novel non-pharmacological methods to treat depression, especially if antidepressant use in people with depression does not attenuate the depressive symptoms-cognitive decline association. Using knowledge mobilization methods, we will disseminate our findings to healthcare providers, patients and caregivers. By understanding how depression affects cognition of Canadians, we hope to inform strategies to manage both depression and its cognitive effects.