A predictive depression pattern in mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic utility of the presence, persistence, and patterns of depression in subjects with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). METHOD: Sixty amnestic MCI patients were assessed cognitively and for presence of depression using the 30 item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). They were followed annually for an average period of 4.3 years. RESULTS: Simple presence or absence of depression at referral did not predict progression of MCI to AD. Positive answers to specific GDS questions referring to "melancholic" affect as well as the persistence of depression over two to three years significantly predicted cognitive deterioration leading to AD. CONCLUSION: The affective characteristics of depression at referral and the persistence of depression were better predictors of conversion to AD than the simple presence or absence of depression measured at referral time.