Sex differences in the mediators of functional disability in Major Depressive Disorder

AbstractThe association of major depressive disorder (MDD) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through endothelial dysfunction is bidirectional. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs), essential for endothelial repair and function, are associated with risks of various CVDs. Here, the relationship of cEPC counts with MDD and the related clinical presentations were investigated in 50 patients with MDD and 46 healthy controls. In patients with MDD, a battery of clinical domains was analysed: depressed mood with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), anxiety with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), cognitive dysfunction and deficit with Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression (PDQ-D), somatic symptoms with Depressive and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS), quality of life with 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and functional disability with Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Immature and mature cEPC counts were measured through flow cytometry. Increased mature and immature cEPC counts were significantly associated with higher anxiety after controlling the confounding effect of systolic blood pressure, and potentially associated with more severe depressive symptoms, worse cognitive performance and increased cognitive deficit, higher social disability, and worse mental health outcomes. Thus, cEPCs might have pleiotropic effects on MDD-associated symptoms and psychosocial outcomes.

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Sex Differences of NOD2 and TOLLIP in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Human Volunteers: Role of Androgen and Androgen Receptor

Neuropsychiatry ◽

10.4172/neuropsychiatry.1000385 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 08 (02) ◽

Author(s):

I Na Lee ◽

Tiao Lai Huang ◽

Ya Ling Huang ◽

Yi Yung Hung ◽

Hong Yo Kang

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Androgen Receptor ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Human Volunteers

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Cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852918001207 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 22-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Zihang Pan ◽

Caroline Park ◽

Elisa Brietzke ◽

Hannah Zuckerman ◽

Carola Rong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Cognitive Dysfunction ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Testable Hypothesis ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Neurobiological Substrates

Cognitive dysfunction is a symptomatic domain identified across many mental disorders. Cognitive deficits in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) contribute significantly to occupational and functional disability. Notably, cognitive subdomains such as learning and memory, executive functioning, processing speed, and attention and concentration are significantly impaired during, and between, episodes in individuals with MDD. Most antidepressants have not been developed and/or evaluated for their ability to directly and independently ameliorate cognitive deficits. Multiple interacting neurobiological mechanisms (eg, neuroinflammation) are implicated as subserving cognitive deficits in MDD. A testable hypothesis, with preliminary support, posits that improving performance across cognitive domains in individuals with MDD may improve psychosocial function, workplace function, quality of life, and other patient-reported outcomes, independent of effects on core mood symptoms. Herein we aim to (1) provide a rationale for prioritizing cognitive deficits as a therapeutic target, (2) briefly discuss the neurobiological substrates subserving cognitive dysfunction, and (3) provide an update on current and future treatment avenues.

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