Perinatal depression and memory: more frequent complaints, but largely inconclusive tests

A review that distinguishes perception from performance

The researchers examined links between depressive or anxiety symptoms and memory, attention and cognitive flexibility during the perinatal period. Their literature search covered PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO, following PRISMA guidelines.

The review includes 42 studies. Exploratory meta-analyses were conducted when at least three studies had comparable methods and results. These appear in the supplementary materials, which were not consulted here: the source dossier provides access only to the PubMed abstract.

The most consistent finding concerns cognitive complaints

In six studies, greater depressive symptoms were associated with more cognitive difficulties reported by participants. This is the review’s most consistent finding. However, the abstract does not provide an effect size to quantify this association.

For measured performance, the picture is less clear. Results were inconsistent for working memory, attention and cognitive flexibility. Studies on verbal memory and recognition memory found no association with depressive or anxiety symptoms. A link with autobiographical memory was reported, but based on a limited number of studies.

The lack of consistent findings does not settle the question

Most studies were cross-sectional: they cannot establish whether depressive symptoms precede cognitive difficulties, result from them or share other contributing factors. Anxiety was rarely assessed, making conclusions about it particularly limited.

Cognitive tasks also varied across studies and poorly reflected everyday situations. An inconclusive test is therefore not enough to rule out an experienced difficulty. Conversely, a cognitive complaint alone does not demonstrate measurable impairment.

What we can take away from this review

The authors suggest mood, sleep, mental load and sociocultural perceptions as possible influences on the gap between perception and performance. These are potential explanations, not mechanisms demonstrated by this review.

These findings justify neither automatically attributing forgetfulness to depression nor claiming a general decline in cognitive abilities during the perinatal period. Longitudinal studies, with measures that more closely reflect everyday life, are still needed.

What we can take away

Perinatal depressive symptoms are associated with perceived cognitive difficulties. Their link with an objective decline in performance remains uncertain.