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Cited by 180Treatment of Major DepressionNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Impaired divided attention predicts delayed response and risk to relapse in subjects with depressive disorders

MAJER, M., ISING, M., KÜNZEL, H., BINDER, E. B., HOLSBOER, F., MODELL, S., ZIHL, J.·2004·Psychological Medicine
DOI 10.1017/s0033291704002697
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Abstract

Background. This study addresses the complex relationship between cognitive function and the course of depression. Method. A sample of patients (n=73) in a depressive episode (major depression or bipolar disorder) was tested with a comprehensive battery of attention and executive tasks at both admission and discharge. In addition, response to pharmacological treatment and remission was assessed with standardized rating scales. Nineteen patients, recovered from depression, were re-investigated 6 months after discharge to determine whether specific cognitive parameters were related to subsequent relapse. Results. On admission, patients were impaired in almost all cognitive tasks. At discharge, we found a significant reduction in psychopathology, but only marginal cognitive improvements. Non-responders after 4 weeks of antidepressive medication and subjects who did not achieve remission prior to discharge were specifically impaired in divided attention on admission (p<0·05). In addition, a trend was found for the association between impaired divided attention at discharge and an elevated risk to relapse (p<0·10). Conclusions. We observed generalized cognitive impairment in most cognitive domains in acute depression. Cognitive impairments were still within abnormal ranges at discharge but less distinct. Divided attention performance predicted response to treatment, remission of symptoms, and risk to relapse. Impaired divided attention capacity can be explained either by reduced attentional resources or impaired activation and/or top-down control of attentional resources by the central executive.

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Crossref · 10.1017/s0033291704002697

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  • Attention impairments in major depressive disorder negatively impact daily function and are associated with poorer clinical outcome.

    “Attention impairments in particular are known to negatively impact daily function3,4 and are associated with poorer clinical outcome5.”

    From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Poorer divided attention is associated with delayed response and increased risk of relapse as well as higher suicidality.

    “while poorer divided attention is associated with delayed response and increased risk of relapse5 as well as higher suicidality37.”

    From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Many studies show no change in divided attention with SSRI treatment.

    “Many studies, albeit largely observational or with a mix of medications used, show no change in sustained attention25,99, selective attention100, or divided attention5,101, despite improvements in mood symptoms.”

    From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [5]

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Authors
MAJER, M., ISING, M., KÜNZEL, H., BINDER, E. B., HOLSBOER, F., MODELL, S., & ZIHL, J.
Affiliations
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (DE)
ORCID
Venue
Psychological Medicine
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2004-11
Volume
34
Issue
8
Pages
1453-1463
ISSN
  • 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8978
DOI
10.1017/s0033291704002697
OpenAlex
W1981847343
Cited by
180
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 8
FWCI
1.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 3 d)
Locations
  • Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
divided attention, cognitive impairment, depression, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, relapse risk, treatment response, remission, executive function, central executive, top-down control, attentional resources, antidepressants
MeSH terms
Acute Disease, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Attention, Bipolar Disorder, Cognition Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prognosis, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Recurrence, Risk Factors, Cohort Studies

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