Cognitive Dimensions of Major Depressive Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard T. Baune
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Social Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Dimensions

Cognitive Dimensions of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) examines the key clinical and pathophysiological characteristics and treatment options of MDD. The volume emphasizes that while the traditional model of depression implicates mood as the primary symptom cluster, a more recently published conceptual understanding of depression has been extended to consider cognitive function as more than just a symptom. It furthers our understanding of the central role of the cognitive dimension for the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of MDD. It reviews the key cognitive dimensions of depression comprising impaired cognitive and emotional processes of cognitive function, emotion processing, and social cognitive processing. It focuses on the cognitive and emotional dimensions of depression and offers extended and novel diagnostic and treatment approaches ranging from pharmacological to psychological interventions targeting those dimensions of depression.

Cognitive Dimensions of Major Depressive Disorder

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Emotional Processes ◽  
Social Cognitive Processing ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cognitive Dimensions

The lifetime prevalence of 15% for major depressive disorder (MDD) within the general population is among the highest among all mental disorders. MDD is also one of the leading causes of disability and has been estimated to affect 300 million people worldwide. Clinical, functional, and biological correlates of MDD are frequently investigated almost exclusively based on research that defines depression as a categorical disorder assessed by established diagnostic instruments. Given the phenotypic and biological heterogeneity of depression, a refocus of the clinical phenotype of depression is required and widely recommended. Cognitive dimensions of depression have long been implicated in the nature of depression as a disorder that is characterized by typically impaired cognitive and emotional processes. The systems of cognitive function, emotion processing, and social cognitive processing are regarded as comprehensively describing large parts of the clinical symptoms as well as the pathophysiology of the brain-based disorder of depression. The focus on the above cognitive and emotional dimensions of depression offers promising extended and novel diagnostic and treatment approaches ranging from pharmacological to psychological interventions targeting those dimensions of depression. This book aims to provide an improved understanding of the characteristics of the dimensional approach of depression, focusing on the cognitive, emotional, and social cognitive processes.

scholarly journals Deficient testosterone levels in men above 45 years with major depressive disorder - an age-matched case control study

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
A M Dikobe ◽  
C W Van Staden ◽  
S Reif ◽  
M Bornman
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Matched Case

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Symptoms of partial androgen deficiency in ageing men (PADAM) overlap considerably with those of major depressive disorder. The relationship between these conditions is complicated by the usual age-related decline in serum testosterone concentrations.</p><p><strong>Objectives.</strong> To test the hypothesis that depressed men above 45 years of age have lower serum testosterone concentrations than age-matched controls.</p><p><strong>Method.</strong> Serum testosterone fractions of 20 men above the age of 45 years suffering from a major depressive disorder were compared with those of 20 healthy men. An age-matched controlled design was used to account for the usual age-related decline in serum testosterone concentrations.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Testosterone concentrations of men suffering from a major depressive disorder were statistically significantly lower than those of an age-matched control group without depression. Conclusion. The role of testosterone deficiency in depressed men needs to be examined further in order for appropriate treatment options to be developed.</p>

Pain and major depressive disorder: Associations with cognitive impairment as measured by the THINC-integrated tool (THINC-it)

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle S. Cha ◽  
Nicole E. Carmona ◽  
Rodrigo B. Mansur ◽  
Yena Lee ◽  
Hyun Jung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function

AbstractObjectivesTo examine the role of pain on cognitive function in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsAdults (18–65) with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – Fifth Edition (DSM-5)-defined diagnosis of MDD experiencing a current major depressive episode (MDE) were enrolled (nMDD = 100). All subjects with MDD were matched in age, sex, and years of education to healthy controls (HC) (nHC = 100) for comparison. Cognitive function was assessed using the recently validated THINC-integrated tool (THINC-it), which comprises variants of the choice reaction time (i.e., THINC-it: Spotter), One-Back (i.e., THINC-it: Symbol Check), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (i.e., THINC-it: Codebreaker), Trail Making Test – Part B (i.e., THINC-it: Trails), as well as the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire for Depression – 5-item (i.e., THINC-it: PDQ-5-D). A global index of objective cognitive function was computed using objective measures from the THINC-it, while self-rated cognitive deficits were measured using the PDQ-5-D. Pain was measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Regression analyses evaluated the role of pain in predicting objective and subjective cognitive function.ResultsA significant between-group differences on the VAS was observed (p < 0.001), with individuals with MDD reporting higher pain severity as evidenced by higher scores on the VAS than HC. Significant interaction effects were observed between self -rated cognitive deficits and pain ratings (p < 0.001) on objective cognitive performance (after adjusting for MADRS total score), suggesting that pain moderates the association between self-rated and objective cognitive function.ConclusionsResults indicated that pain is associated with increased self-rated and objective cognitive deficits in adults with MDD.ImplicationsThe study herein provides preliminary evidence demonstrating that adults with MDD reporting pain symptomatology and poorer subjective cognitive function is predictive of poorer objective cognitive performance. THINC-it is capable of detecting cognitive dysfunction amongst adults with MDD and pain.

scholarly journals Reviewing the Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Pathophysiology of Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Gallego-Landin ◽  
Alba García-Baos ◽  
Adriana Castro-Zavala ◽  
Olga Valverde
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
The Relationship

Major depressive disorder is a high-impact, debilitating disease and it is currently considered the most prevalent mental illness. It is associated with disability, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Despite its significant repercussions in our society, its exact pathophysiology remains unclear and therefore, available antidepressant treatment options are limited and, in some cases, ineffective. In the past years, research has focused on the development of a multifactorial theory of depression. Simultaneously, evidence supporting the role of the endocannabinoid system in the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric diseases has emerged. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system strongly impacts neurotransmission, and the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems, which are known to be dysfunctional in depressive patients. Accordingly, common antidepressants were shown to have a direct impact on the expression of cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain. Therefore, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and major depressive disorder is worth consideration. Nevertheless, most studies focus on smaller pieces of what is undoubtedly a larger mosaic of interdependent processes. Therefore, the present review summarizes the existing literature regarding the role of the endocannabinoid system in depression aiming to integrate this information into a holistic picture for a better understanding of the relationship between the two.

scholarly journals The Way to a Human’s Brain Goes Through Their Stomach: Dietary Factors in Major Depressive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Aly ◽  
Olivia Engmann
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
And Behavior

Globally, more than 250 million people are affected by depression (major depressive disorder; MDD), a serious and debilitating mental disorder. Currently available treatment options can have substantial side effects and take weeks to be fully effective. Therefore, it is important to find safe alternatives, which act more rapidly and in a larger number of patients. While much research on MDD focuses on chronic stress as a main risk factor, we here make a point of exploring dietary factors as a somewhat overlooked, yet highly promising approach towards novel antidepressant pathways. Deficiencies in various groups of nutrients often occur in patients with mental disorders. These include vitamins, especially members of the B-complex (B6, B9, B12). Moreover, an imbalance of fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, or an insufficient supply with minerals, including magnesium and zinc, are related to MDD. While some of them are relevant for the synthesis of monoamines, others play a crucial role in inflammation, neuroprotection and the synthesis of growth factors. Evidence suggests that when deficiencies return to normal, changes in mood and behavior can be, at least in some cases, achieved. Furthermore, supplementation with dietary factors (so called “nutraceuticals”) may improve MDD symptoms even in the absence of a deficiency. Non-vital dietary factors may affect MDD symptoms as well. For instance, the most commonly consumed psychostimulant caffeine may improve behavioral and molecular markers of MDD. The molecular structure of most dietary factors is well known. Hence, dietary factors may provide important molecular tools to study and potentially help treat MDD symptoms. Within this review, we will discuss the role of dietary factors in MDD risk and symptomology, and critically discuss how they might serve as auxiliary treatments or preventative options for MDD.

Cognitive dimensions of major depressive disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bernhard T. Baune
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Psychosocial Impairment ◽  
Symptomatic Remission

Major depressive disorder is characterized by impaired affect, cognitive dysfunction, and significant psychosocial impairment that persists from weeks to years. Cognitive symptoms are pervasive, affecting functioning in several domains, including reduced executive functioning, attention, memory, learning, psychomotor speed, and verbal processing. Recent evidence suggests that cognitive dysfunction persists following symptomatic remission, highlighting the need to treat cognition separately from mood symptoms. Residual cognitive deficits may contribute to ongoing occupational and social dysfunction and promote suicide ideation. In addition, retention of cognitive impairment may interact with existing emotional and social vulnerability, increasing the risk of recurrent depressive episodes. The chapter characterizes the domains of emotional, nonemotional, and social cognitive function in major depressive disorder. It examines the domains and descriptors of nonemotional cognitive function. It evaluates the important relationship between cognitive deficits and psychosocial function, as well as the clinical interactions between ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ cognitive function. It extends our understanding of the social cognitive function and its implications for social performance and impact on emotional and empathic performance.

Differences in memory function between 5-HT1A receptor genotypes in patients with major depressive disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 379-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Wesnes ◽  
Seth C. Hopkins ◽  
Helen J. Brooker ◽  
Kenneth S. Koblan
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Serotonin Receptor ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Memory Tests

BackgroundWhile extensive literature on the role of the serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A-R) in cognition exists, the findings are largely from animal studies. There has been little research conducted into 5-HT1A-R genotypes and cognitive function in humans. This article evaluates the role of 5-HT1A-R genotypes on the profile of cognitive function in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsThe study sample was 455 MDD patients aged between 18 and 55 years. They had enrolled into a clinical trial and were tested prior to dosing on the baseline study day using the CDR System, an integrated set of 3 attention tests, 2 working memory tests, and 4 episodic memory tests. 5-HT1A-R genotyping for (SNP ID rs6295) had been conducted during the study screening period.ResultsValidated factor scores were derived from the 9 tests. It was found that patients with the C/C genotype for the C(1019)G polymorphism of the 5-HT1A-R were significantly superior in retaining and retrieving information, in both working and episodic memory, than those with either the C/G or the G/G genotypes. No differences were found in measures of attention or in the speed of retrieval of information from memory.ConclusionsThis is, to our knowledge, the first relationship found between objective tests of cognitive function and 5-HT1A-R genotypes in MDD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document