Verbal Learning and Memory Deficits across Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Insights from an ENIGMA Mega Analysis
Authors: Kennedy Eamonn , Liebel Spencer W. , Lindsey Hannah M. , Vadlamani Shashank , Lei Pui-Wa , Adamson Maheen M. , Alda Martin , Alonso-Lana Silvia , Anderson Tim J. , Arango Celso , Asarnow Robert F. , Avram Mihai , Ayesa-Arriola Rosa , Babikian Talin , Banaj Nerisa , Bird Laura J. , Borgwardt Stefan , Brodtmann Amy , Brosch Katharina , Caeyenberghs Karen , Calhoun Vince D. , Chiaravalloti Nancy D. , Cifu David X. , Crespo-Facorro Benedicto , Dalrymple-Alford John C. , Dams-O’Connor Kristen , Dannlowski Udo , Darby David , Davenport Nicholas , DeLuca John , Diaz-Caneja Covadonga M. , Disner Seth G. , Dobryakova Ekaterina , Ehrlich Stefan , Esopenko Carrie , Ferrarelli Fabio , Frank Lea E. , Franz Carol E. , Fuentes-Claramonte Paola , Genova Helen , Giza Christopher C. , Goltermann Janik , Grotegerd Dominik , Gruber Marius , Gutierrez-Zotes Alfonso , Ha Minji , Haavik Jan , Hinkin Charles , Hoskinson Kristen R. , Hubl Daniela , Irimia Andrei , Jansen Andreas , Kaess Michael , Kang Xiaojian , Kenney Kimbra , Keřková Barbora , Khlif Mohamed Salah , Kim Minah , Kindler Jochen , Kircher Tilo , Knížková Karolina , Kolskår Knut K. , Krch Denise , Kremen William S. , Kuhn Taylor , Kumari Veena , Kwon Junsoo , Langella Roberto , Laskowitz Sarah , Lee Jungha , Lengenfelder Jean , Liou-Johnson Victoria , Lippa Sara M. , Løvstad Marianne , Lundervold Astri J. , Marotta Cassandra , Marquardt Craig A. , Mattos Paulo , Mayeli Ahmad , McDonald Carrie R. , Meinert Susanne , Melzer Tracy R. , Merchán-Naranjo Jessica , Michel Chantal , Morey Rajendra A. , Mwangi Benson , Myall Daniel J. , Nenadić Igor , Newsome Mary R. , Nunes Abraham , O’Brien Terence , Oertel Viola , Ollinger John , Olsen Alexander , Ortiz García de la Foz Victor , Ozmen Mustafa , Pardoe Heath , Parent Marise , Piras Fabrizio , Piras Federica , Pomarol-Clotet Edith , Repple Jonathan , Richard Geneviève , Rodriguez Jonathan , Rodriguez Mabel , Rootes-Murdy Kelly , Rowland Jared , Ryan Nicholas P. , Salvador Raymond , Sanders Anne-Marthe , Schmidt Andre , Soares Jair C. , Spalleta Gianfranco , Španiel Filip , Sponheim Scott R. , Stasenko Alena , Stein Frederike , Straube Benjamin , Thames April , Thomas-Odenthal Florian , Thomopoulos Sophia I. , Tone Erin B. , Torres Ivan , Troyanskaya Maya , Turner Jessica A. , Ulrichsen Kristine M. , Umpierrez Guillermo , Vecchio Daniela , Vilella Elisabet , Vivash Lucy , Walker William C. , Werden Emilio , Westlye Lars T. , Wild Krista , Wroblewski Adrian , Wu Mon-Ju , Wylie Glenn R. , Yatham Lakshmi N. , Zunta-Soares Giovana B. , Thompson Paul M. , Pugh Mary Jo , Tate David F. , Hillary Frank G. , Wilde Elisabeth A. , Dennis Emily L. 
Published: July 2024

Deficits in memory performance have been linked to a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. While many studies have assessed the memory impacts of individual conditions, this study considers a broader perspective by evaluating how memory recall is differentially associated with nine common neuropsychiatric conditions using data drawn from 55 international studies, aggregating 15,883 unique participants aged 15–90. The effects of dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder on immediate, short-, and long-delay verbal learning and memory (VLM) scores were estimated relative to matched healthy individuals. Random forest models identified age, years of education, and site as important VLM covariates. A Bayesian harmonization approach was used to isolate and remove site effects. Regression estimated the adjusted association of each clinical group with VLM scores. Memory deficits were strongly associated with dementia and schizophrenia (p < 0.001), while neither depression nor ADHD showed consistent associations with VLM scores (p > 0.05). Differences associated with clinical conditions were larger for longer delayed recall duration items. By comparing VLM across clinical conditions, this study provides a foundation for enhanced diagnostic precision and offers new insights into disease management of comorbid disorders.