Memory, attention and language deficits in major depressive disorder

Abstract

ObjectivesFor a long time, cognitive deficits were considered as part of depressive episodes and were expected to improve as other affective symptoms diminished with treatment. Because of this, cognitive impairment was rarely assessed for Major depressive disorder, but in the present time this has changed.MethodsThe study included 35 patients (age between 18 and 70) diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder (according to ICD-10 and DSM-V) which were evaluated during an acute depressive episode. The severity of depression was quantified clinically and with the help of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale -17 items- whereas cognitive functions were evaluated with standard cognitive tests.ResultsOut of the 35 patients included, 25 were female patients, the rest of 10 being represented by male participants. A median score of 81,5 seconds on the Trail Making Test part A showed attention focusing deficits when compared with standard scores. For semantic fluency, ten words represented the mean score; whereas for phonemic fluency the mean score was lower (seven words). A median score of 5 words resulted from the assessment of the verbal learning and memory, these are considered to be associated with memorization and retention of a list of words given.ConclusionsThese results sustain what the majority of studies revealed, that cognitive deficits are present in all cognitive domains, mostly in attention, verbal fluency and memory.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Minding my brain: Fourteen neuroscience‐based principles to enhance psychotherapy responsiveness

“…However, disruptions in a sense of self are documented in several psychological disorders, along with memory deficits. Memory difficulties are found in individuals with major depressive disorder (Perini et al, 2019; Suciu et al, 2017), anxiety disorders (Balderston et al, 2017; Zlomuzica et al, 2016) and schizophrenia (Nelson et al, 1998).…”