scholarly journals Reducing Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder with Future Event Specificity Training (FEST): A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David John Hallford ◽  
Danielle Rusanov ◽  
Joseph Yeow ◽  
David W. Austin ◽  
Arnaud D'Argembeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Future Thinking ◽  
Future Event ◽  
Global Functioning ◽  
Major Depressive

Objective: Improving future thinking may be one means to reduce anhedonia, particularly in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in which future thinking is impaired. The current study therefore examined whether enhancing future thinking is a viable method of reducing anhedonia in MDD. Methods: Participants (N=177; 80.8% women; M age=43.7, SD=11.8) with a current depressive episode including anhedonia and high symptom severity were randomized to a Future Event Specificity Training (FEST) program or wait-list control. Future thinking characteristics, anhedonia-related variables, and other clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, one- and three-month follow-up. Results: The FEST group showed significantly improved future thinking characteristics compared to the control group, as expected. Relative to the control group, FEST was also associated with a reduced likelihood of anhedonia (35.1% vs 61.1%, p = .015), improvements on other anhedonia-related variables such as anticipatory (d = 0.63, p = .004) and anticipated pleasure (d = 0.77, p < .001), and desirable clinical outcomes such as less people meeting criteria for MDD (37.8% vs 64.8%, p = .011), lower symptom severity (d = 0.41, p = .048), higher behavioural activation (d = 0.71, p = .001) and improved global functioning (d = 0.52, p = .017). Changes in future thinking characteristics were found to mediate the effect of FEST on anhedonia.Conclusions: Future thinking can be enhanced in MDD, and this leads to a substantially reduced likelihood of anhedonia, other significant clinical effects and functional gains. Future research might examine FEST’s effects on other diagnostic groups with anhedonia and the utility of FEST as an adjunct to other treatments.

THE PATTERN OF IRRATIONAL BELIEFS ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyne Prud'homme ◽  
Pierre Barron
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Irrational Beliefs ◽  
Irrational Belief ◽  
Normal Control Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Normal Controls

In light of Rational-Emotive Theory, this study was undertaken to determine the pattern of irrational beliefs underlying Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). A total of 126 subjects (50 males, 76 females) volunteered to participate. Patients clinically diagnosed with MDD (unipolar type) and a control group of non-depressed patients were solicited from the inpatient and outpatient facilities of several Ottawa and Montreal hospitals; the normal control group comprised students and civil servants. The subjects completed questionnaires to measure irrational belief endorsement (IBT, RBI) and symptom severity (STAI, BDI) and to verify the depression diganosis (IDD). Multivariate statistics were used to determine the pattern of beliefs which best discriminates between the MDD group, the psychiatric control group, and the normal controls. Discriminant analysis of the IBT revealed a pattern of four irrational beliefs generally known as demand for approval, frustration reactivity, anxious overconcern, and helplessness over past. The implications of such findings for RET theory are discussed.

scholarly journals White matter abnormalities and illness severity in major depressive disorder

2012 ◽  
Vol 201 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Cole ◽  
Christopher A. Chaddock ◽  
Anne E. Farmer ◽  
Katherine J. Aitchison ◽  
Andrew Simmons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Corpus Callosum ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundWhite matter abnormalities have been implicated in the aetiology of major depressive disorder; however, the relationship between the severity of symptoms and white matter integrity is currently unclear.AimsTo investigate white matter integrity in people with major depression and healthy controls, and to assess its relationship with depressive symptom severity.MethodDiffusion tensor imaging data were acquired from 66 patients with recurrent major depression and a control group of 66 healthy individuals matched for age, gender and IQ score, and analysed with tract-based spatial statistics. The relationship between white matter integrity and severity of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory was examined.ResultsDepressive illness was associated with widespread regions of decreased white matter integrity, including regions in the corpus callosum, superior longitudinal fasciculus and anterior corona radiata, compared with the control group. Increasing symptom severity was negatively correlated with white matter integrity, predominantly in the corpus callosum.ConclusionsWidespread alterations in white matter integrity are evident in major depressive disorder. These abnormalities are heightened with increasing severity of depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Comparison of clinical outcomes with two Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment protocols for major depressive disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
LindaL. Carpenter ◽  
ScottT. Aaronson ◽  
Todd M. Hutton ◽  
Miriam Mina ◽  
Kenneth Pages ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Treatment Protocols

scholarly journals Cognition and Its Association with Psychosocial and Occupational Functioning during Treatment with Escitalopram in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A CAN-BIND-1 Report: La Cognition Et Son Association Avec Le Fonctionnement Psychosocial Et Professionnel Durant Le Traitement Par Escitalopram Chez Des Patients Souffrant De Trouble Dépressif Majeur: Une Étude Can-Bind-1

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372097482
Author(s):  
Shane J. McInerney ◽  
Trisha Chakrabarty ◽  
Malgorzata Maciukiewicz ◽  
Benicio N. Frey ◽  
Glenda M. MacQueen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Occupational Functioning ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with impairments in both cognition and functioning. However, whether cognitive deficits significantly contribute to impaired psychosocial and occupational functioning, independent of other depressive symptoms, is not well established. We examined the relationship between cognitive performance and functioning in depressed patients before and after antidepressant treatment using secondary data from the first Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression-1 study. Methods: Cognition was assessed at baseline in unmedicated, depressed participants with MDD ( n = 207) using the Central Nervous System Vital Signs computerized battery, psychosocial functioning with the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and occupational functioning with the Lam Employment Absence and Productivity Scale (LEAPS). Cognition ( n = 181), SDS ( n = 175), and LEAPS ( n = 118) were reassessed after participants received 8 weeks of open-label escitalopram monotherapy. A series of linear regressions were conducted to determine (1) whether cognitive functioning was associated with psychosocial and occupational functioning prior to treatment, after adjusting for overall depressive symptom severity and (2) whether changes in cognitive functioning after an 8-week treatment phase were associated with changes in psychosocial and occupational functioning, after adjusting for changes in overall symptom severity. Results: Baseline global cognitive functioning, after adjusting for depression symptom severity and demographic variables, was associated with the SDS work/study subscale (β = −0.17; P = 0.03) and LEAPS productivity subscale (β = −0.17; P = 0.05), but not SDS total (β = 0.19; P = 0.12) or LEAPS total (β = 0.41; P = 0.17) scores. Although LEAPS and SDS scores showed significant improvements after 8 weeks of treatment ( P < 0.001), there were no significant associations between changes in cognitive domain scores and functional improvements. Conclusion: Cognition was associated with occupational functioning at baseline, but changes in cognition were not associated with psychosocial or occupational functional improvements following escitalopram treatment. We recommend the use of more comprehensive functional assessments to determine the impact of cognitive change on functional outcomes in future research.

scholarly journals Preventive Effect of Liothyronine on Electroconvulsive Therapy-Induced Memory Deficit in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Mohagheghi ◽  
Asghar Arfaie ◽  
Shahrokh Amiri ◽  
Masoud Nouri ◽  
Salman Abdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Memory Deficit ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
The Impact

Introduction and Objective. Despite the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), its cognitive side effects make it less popular. This study investigated the impact of liothyronine on ECT-induced memory deficit in patients with MDD.Methodology. This is a double-blind clinical trial, in which 60 patients with MDD who were referred for ECT were selected. The diagnosis was based on the criteria of DSM-IV-TR. Patients were divided randomly into two groups to receive either liothyronine (50 mcg every morning) or placebo. After the assessment with Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) before first session of ECT, posttests were repeated again, two months after the completion of ECT.Findings. By controlling the pretest scores, the mean scores of the experimental group were higher than the control group in delayed recall, verbal memory, visual memory, general memory, and attention/concentration scales (P<0.05).Conclusion. Liothyronine may prevent ECT-induced memory impairment in patients with MDD. This study has been registered in IRCT underIRCT201401122660N2.

Optical Coherence Tomography and Pattern Electroretinography Changes in Egyptian Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa S ElShaarawi ◽  
Ayman A Gaafar ◽  
Hisham S. Saad Eldin ◽  
Randa H Ali
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ophthalmological Examination ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pattern Electroretinography

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder that affects nearly 11.1-14.6 % of the population in their lifetime. Pathophysiology and brain imaging findings show that degenerative and inflammatory processes may play a role. Meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies in MDD demonstrated significant gray matter loss. From anatomical and embryological perspectives, the retina can be considered a unique extension of the brain and is able to reflect axonal histopathology. Being unmyelinated, it can provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of diseases with a neurodegenerative element. Aim to compare retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in a group of MDD patients with a healthy control group and to correlate OCT parameters with pattern electroretinography (PERG) parameters. Method a controlled cross sectional study was conducted on 30 MDD patients and 28 age and sex matched controls. Both groups had a full ophthalmological examination, OCT imaging and 7 patients and 11 controls have PERG recorded. Results Thinning of the superior retinal nerve fiber layer, thinning of most of the ganglion cell inner plexiform (GCIP) layer, thinning of most of the macular thickness and thinning of macular volume in both eyes were detected. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the left GCIP layer and the amplitude of the N95 wave. Also a statistically significant negative correlation existed between MDD duration in years with the left eye's average volume of the outer ring of the macula. Conclusion Significant retinal changes were detected by OCT in MDD patients supporting the theory of neurodegeneration as a pathophysiology of MDD.

scholarly journals High-frequency cognitive and mood assessment in major depressive disorder with wearable technology (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Cormack ◽  
Maggie McCue ◽  
Nick Taptiklis ◽  
Caroline Skirrow ◽  
Emilie Glazer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Good Correspondence ◽  
Adequate Treatment

BACKGROUND Cognitive symptoms are common in major depressive disorder, and may help to identify patients that need treatment or who are not experiencing adequate treatment response. Digital tools to provide real time data assessing cognitive function could help to support patients treatment and remediation of cognitive and mood symptoms. OBJECTIVE This study examined adherence, feasibility, and validity of a wearable high-frequency cognitive and mood assessment app over 6 weeks, corresponding to when antidepressant pharmacotherapy begins to show efficacy. METHODS Thirty patients (aged 19−63; 19 women) with mild-moderate depression participated. The new Cognition Kit application was delivered via the Apple Watch, providing a high-resolution touch screen display for task presentation and logging responses. Cognition was assessed by the n-back task up to 3 times daily and depressed mood by 3 short questions once daily. Selected tests sensitive to depression from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and validated questionnaires of depression symptom severity were administered on 4 occasions (baseline, weeks 1, 3, and 6). Adherence was defined as participants completing at least one assessment daily. RESULTS Adherence was excellent for mood and cognitive assessments (95% and 96%, respectively), did not deteriorate over time, and was not influenced by depression symptom severity or cognitive function at study onset. Daily mood assessments showed good correspondence with validated depression questionnaires (correlations range from .45 to .69 for total daily mood score) and daily cognitive assessments showed good correspondence with cognitive tests sensitive to depression (correlations ranged from .37 to .50 for mean n-back). CONCLUSIONS The study supports the feasibility and validity of high-frequency assessment of cognitive function and mood function using wearable devices over an extended period in patients with major depressive disorder. CLINICALTRIAL clinicaltrials.gov NCT03067506

Does Pharmacogenomic Testing Improve Clinical Outcomes for Major Depressive Disorder?

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (06) ◽  
pp. 720-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua D. Rosenblat ◽  
Yena Lee ◽  
Roger S. McIntyre
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Major Depressive

scholarly journals The effects of intramuscular administration of scopolamine augmentation in moderate to severe major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204512532093855
Author(s):  
Jingjing Zhou ◽  
Jian Yang ◽  
Xuequan Zhu ◽  
Tarek Zghoul ◽  
Lei Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Dose Group ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Double Blind

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common affective disorder. Currently established pharmacotherapies lack rapid clinical response, thereby limiting their ability to bring instant relief to patients. A series of clinical trials has demonstrated the antidepressant effects of scopolamine, yet few have studied the effects of add-on scopolamine to currently available antidepressants. It is not known whether conventional antidepressant treatment with a 3-day scopolamine injection could speed up oral antidepressant efficacy. The main focus of this study is to detect the capacity of the rapid-onset efficacy of such a treatment option. Methods and analysis: This study consisted of a single-centre, double-blind, three-arm randomized trial with a 4-week follow-up period. Sixty-six participants meeting entry criteria were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: a high-dose group, a low-dose group and a placebo control group. Psychiatric rating scales were administered at baseline and seven viewing points following the administration of intramuscular injections. The primary outcome measure was length of time from randomization (baseline) to early improvement. Results: Both primary and secondary outcome measures consistently showed no differences among the three groups. The cumulative response rate and the remission rate were 72.7% (48/66) and 47.0% (31/66). Intramuscular scopolamine treatment was relatively well tolerated. Two subjects with high-dose injections dropped out because of a drug-related side effect. Conclusion: Contrary to our prediction, we found that, compared to placebo (0.9% saline i.m.), scopolamine was not associated with a significantly faster antidepressant response rate. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03131050. Registered on 18 April 2017.

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