In a groundbreaking exploration into the intricate relationships between mental health, cognitive function, and lifestyle, a recent study uncovers compelling associations among depressive symptoms, verbal working memory, and physical activity in university students. By leveraging advanced resting-state EEG technology, researchers have illuminated neurophysiological underpinnings that deepen our understanding of how these factors intersect, with implications for both clinical practice and preventative mental health strategies.
Depression, a pervasive and debilitating condition affecting millions globally, has been increasingly recognized as a significant concern within university populations. The pressures of academic life, social challenges, and transitional phases often exacerbate susceptibility to depressive symptoms among young adults. Concurrently, cognitive faculties such as verbal working memory (VWM)—the ability to temporarily hold and manipulate verbal information—play a crucial role in academic and everyday functioning. This study probes how these domains interact and, notably, how physical activity may modulate their relationship.
The methodology adopted involved enrolling 136 university students in a case–control framework, stratifying participants based on the presence or absence of depressive symptoms. Resting EEG data were collected in a controlled five-minute eyes-closed session to capture spontaneous brain electrical activity. The physical activity levels of participants were meticulously quantified via the Physical Activity Scale-3, while depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Verbal working memory performance was gauged utilizing the N-back task, a well-validated cognitive measure assessing reaction time and accuracy.
Findings revealed significant differences between students exhibiting depressive symptoms and their non-depressed counterparts, particularly in the domains of verbal working memory reaction time and physical activity levels. Specifically, those with depressive symptoms demonstrated slower verbal working memory reaction times and reduced physical activity, highlighting a potential cognitive and behavioral signature of depression in this demographic. Interestingly, verbal working memory accuracy did not differ significantly, pointing towards specific aspects of cognitive processing being selectively impaired.
Correlation analyses further elucidated these dynamics, showing a negative correlation between physical activity and depressive symptom severity. Students engaging in higher levels of physical activity tended to report fewer depressive symptoms, aligning with a burgeoning body of evidence supporting exercise as a protective factor against depression. Moreover, physical activity inversely correlated with verbal working memory reaction time, suggesting that active students benefit from enhanced cognitive processing speeds.
Crucially, mediation analysis using the PROCESS macro in SPSS illuminated that verbal working memory reaction time partially mediated the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms. This finding supports a mechanistic pathway where increased physical activity may improve cognitive function—specifically processing speed in verbal working memory—which in turn alleviates depressive symptoms. However, it is important to note that the mediating effect size was modest, indicating other factors undoubtedly contribute to the observed relationships.
At the neurophysiological level, EEG analyses spotlighted distinct patterns of brain activity in the frontal regions, particularly within beta2 and delta frequency bands. Beta2 power over the prefrontal electrodes (FP1, FP2), along with delta power in frontal areas (F3, F4, F7, F8), showed negative correlations with depressive symptom scores and verbal working memory reaction times and positive correlations with physical activity levels. These electrophysiological markers may reflect the integrative neural substrates linking mood regulation, cognitive function, and lifestyle behavior.
The identification of these EEG indicators as correlates for depression and cognitive function is particularly promising. Frontal brain regions are heavily implicated in executive functions and mood regulation. Abnormalities in their activity patterns may serve as objective biomarkers for depressive symptomatology and cognitive impairments, offering avenues for early detection and targeted neurofeedback or neuromodulatory interventions.
The study’s multi-dimensional approach transcends simple behavioral correlations by framing depressive symptoms within a biologically grounded neural context. Integrating EEG metrics with behavioral and cognitive measures establishes a more holistic framework for understanding depression’s complexities in young adults undergoing critical developmental stages.
While the partial mediation effect confirms verbal working memory’s role, the modest magnitude suggests comprehensive models incorporating additional cognitive and lifestyle variables are necessary. Factors such as sleep quality, stress levels, social support, and nutritional status may also interact with physical activity to influence depressive symptoms and cognitive outcomes.
Furthermore, the results underscore the bidirectional interplay between physical activity and mental health. Engaging in regular physical exercise potentially enhances neural efficiency and cognitive agility, mitigating depression’s impact. This reinforces public health initiatives advocating physical activity not solely for physical well-being but also as a cornerstone in mental health promotion and disease prevention strategies within academic settings.
As universities grapple with rising mental health challenges, integrating cognitive assessments and neurophysiological measurements alongside lifestyle interventions could revolutionize screening and treatment paradigms. Personalized programs enhancing physical activity and targeting cognitive training may offer cost-effective and accessible modalities to foster resilience and academic success.
Future research should expand longitudinally to determine causal inferences and explore intervention efficacies in modifying EEG indices, cognitive metrics, and depressive symptoms. Expanding sample diversity and incorporating multimodal imaging could further unravel the neural circuitry involved.
In summary, this pivotal study bridges gaps between psychological symptomatology, cognitive neuroscience, and public health, emphasizing how physical activity interlaces with verbal working memory and brain electrophysiology to influence depression in university students. Its insights chart promising paths for innovative therapeutic avenues and underscore the power of interdisciplinary research in unraveling mental health complexities.
Subject of Research:
Correlations between depressive symptoms, verbal working memory, physical activity, and associated resting-state EEG biomarkers in university students.
Article Title:
Correlations between depressive symptoms, verbal working memory, and physical activity in university students: evidence based on resting EEG
Article References:
Ren, Y., Li, S., Jia, S. et al. Correlations between depressive symptoms, verbal working memory, and physical activity in university students: evidence based on resting EEG. BMC Psychiatry 25, 508 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06936-8
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