Stress-Related Exhaustion, Polygenic Cognitive Potential, and Cognitive Test Performance - A General Population Study

Overview

Journal Cognit Ther Res

Specialty Psychology

Date 2023 Mar 22

PMID 36945257

Authors

Laila Ketvel

Liisa Keltikangas-Jarvinen

Katja Pahkala

Markus Juonala

Ari Ahola-Olli

Terho Lehtimaki

Jorma Viikari

Olli Raitakari

Suvi Rovio

Aino Saarinen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: We investigated whether stress-related exhaustion (chronic or short-term, and co-occurring with depression or not) is related to cognitive performance and whether polygenic cognitive potential modifies these associations.

Methods: The participants were from the Young Finns Study (N = 541-1273). Stress-related exhaustion was assessed using the Maastricht Questionnaire, depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory, and cognitive performance with subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, measuring visuospatial learning, reaction time, sustained attention, and executive function. Cognitive performance and depression were assessed in 2011, and exhaustion in 2001, 2007, and 2011. A polygenic score for cognitive potential was calculated based on a GWAS on intelligence.

Results: High stress-related exhaustion, especially chronic, was associated with slower reaction time. Only clinical levels of depression were related to slower reaction time. Polygenic cognitive potential did not modify these associations. There were no differences in cognitive performance between individuals with co-occurring exhaustion and depression vs. those with only either condition.

Conclusion: Stress-related exhaustion, especially if chronic, seems to relate to slower reactions. Co-occurring exhaustion and depression may not have additive effects on cognitive performance. High polygenic cognitive potential may not protect from or predispose to harmful effects of exhaustion or depression on reaction time.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-023-10354-z.

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