A study of 8268 English adults aged 50 years or older found a bidirectional association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function over a 16-year follow-up period. Higher depressive symptoms at baseline were linked to poorer memory and verbal fluency. A steeper increase in depressive symptoms over time was associated with faster memory decline, while a linear change in memory was linked to an acceleration in depressive symptoms. However, no such bidirectional relationship was observed for verbal fluency. The study suggests that psychological mood and memory performance are intrinsically linked. The findings highlight the importance of assessing memory function in individuals with depressive symptoms and vice versa. The study also notes that while depressive symptoms may contribute to cognitive decline, the relationship between verbal fluency and depressive symptoms remains unclear. The study's results emphasize the need for integrated assessment and treatment approaches for both depressive symptoms and cognitive decline. Limitations include potential confounding factors and the observational nature of the study, which limits the establishment of clear causality. The study underscores the complex interplay between depressive symptoms and memory loss, suggesting that early intervention in depressive symptoms could help slow down memory decline in later life.A study of 8268 English adults aged 50 years or older found a bidirectional association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function over a 16-year follow-up period. Higher depressive symptoms at baseline were linked to poorer memory and verbal fluency. A steeper increase in depressive symptoms over time was associated with faster memory decline, while a linear change in memory was linked to an acceleration in depressive symptoms. However, no such bidirectional relationship was observed for verbal fluency. The study suggests that psychological mood and memory performance are intrinsically linked. The findings highlight the importance of assessing memory function in individuals with depressive symptoms and vice versa. The study also notes that while depressive symptoms may contribute to cognitive decline, the relationship between verbal fluency and depressive symptoms remains unclear. The study's results emphasize the need for integrated assessment and treatment approaches for both depressive symptoms and cognitive decline. Limitations include potential confounding factors and the observational nature of the study, which limits the establishment of clear causality. The study underscores the complex interplay between depressive symptoms and memory loss, suggesting that early intervention in depressive symptoms could help slow down memory decline in later life.