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the claim
Working memory recovers fully after episodes of depression
the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
Recorded sources
0 sources for · 2 against
Is it true that working memory recovers fully after episodes of depression?
No. Evidence directly refutes the claim that working memory recovers fully after episodes of depression, demonstrating instead that cognitive difficulties frequently persist well into remission.
Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 2 against · Last checked
The analysis
The claim states that working memory recovers fully after episodes of depression. Multiple provided papers directly contradict this, showing that cognitive deficits, particularly in working memory and executive functions, persist after symptoms remit (e.g., one study) and can even worsen over time (one study). Therefore, the balance of evidence clearly refutes the claim.
Evidence against · 2
A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive domains in major depressive disorders found that cognitive difficulties, including deficits in spatial working memory, persist even after the remission of depressive symptoms.
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Arnone, D., Ramaraj, R., Östlundh, L., Arora, T., Javaid, S., Govender, R., Stip, E., & Young, A. H. (2025). Assessment of cognitive domains in major depressive disorders using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2025.111301
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More against · 1
Longitudinal evidence indicates that working memory deficits do not necessarily recover fully, with factors like chronic inflammation contributing to a progressive decline in working memory over time in individuals with a history of depression.
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Giollabhui, N. M., Kautz, M. M., Moriarity, D., Chat, I., Murray, S., Ellman, L., & Alloy, L. B. (2024). Chronic inflammation is associated with worsening working memory performance: preliminary evidence from a diverse, longitudinal cohort of adolescents and young adults. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.106992
Related receipts
- Is it true that human working memory capacity is strictly limited? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that human working memory capacity can be trained and improved? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that working memory can be reliably measured in non-human animals? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that working memory is entirely equivalent to fluid intelligence? REFUTED
Receipt History
first checked04 Aug 2026
judged → REFUTED · 1604 Aug 2026
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