Kathryn Campbell

Citation

Thesis Title
The Blue Brain: Hemispheric Asymmetry in Depression as an Explanation for Working Memory Impairment

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Depression is an extremely common, yet poorly understood illness. The severity and profile of symptoms are highly variable and a better understanding of the source of this variability could improve diagnosis and treatment. Ms Campbell investigated whether there is a link between different underlying patterns of brain activity and the presence and severity of working memory impairment. Variability in spatial and verbal working memory performance was assessed in relation to alpha power asymmetry, measured using electroencephalogram (EEG), in currently, previously, and never depressed participants.  Although there was no conclusive evidence of a relationship between brain activity and memory function, the results demonstrated a clear need to revisit how depression and working memory are assessed and diagnosed in both research and clinical settings.

Supervisors
Associate Professor Stephen Hill
Associate Professor John Podd