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Cited by 321Treatment of Major DepressionNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 75 of the 76 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Cognitive functioning in the first-episode of major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ahern, Elayne, Semkovska, Maria·2017·Neuropsychology
DOI 10.1037/neu0000319
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive deficits are frequently observed in major depression. Yet, when these deficits emerge and how they relate to the depressed state is unclear. The aim of this 2-part systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the pattern and extent of cognitive deficits during a first-episode of depression (FED) and their persistence following FED remission. METHOD: Published, peer-reviewed articles on cognitive function in FED patients through October 2015 were searched. Meta-analyses with random-effects modeling were conducted. Part 1 assessed weighted, mean effect sizes of cognitive function in FED patients relative to healthy controls. Moderator analyses of clinical and demographical variables effects were conducted. Part 2 assessed weighted, mean effect sizes of change in cognitive function at remission compared with acute FED performance in longitudinal studies. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies including 994 FED patients were retained in Part 1. Relative to healthy controls, small to large impairments were observed across most cognitive domains. Remission was associated with a normalization of function in processing speed, learning and memory, autobiographical memory, shifting, and IQ. Lower FED age was associated with higher IQ, but more impairment in word-list delayed memory. Four studies including 92 FED patients were retained in Part 2. Following remission, FED patients showed small improvements in processing speed and shifting but persistent impairment in inhibition and verbal fluency. CONCLUSION: Significant cognitive deficits are already identifiable during a FED, with some functions showing persistent impairment upon remission. Clinicians must consider cognitive impairment alongside mood symptoms to ensure functional recovery from the FED. (PsycINFO Database Record

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Metadata

Authors
Ahern, E., & Semkovska, M.
Affiliations
University of Limerick (IE)
ORCID
Venue
Neuropsychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2017-01
Volume
31
Issue
1
Pages
52-72
ISSN
  • 0894-4105 (ISSN-L)
  • 1931-1559
DOI
10.1037/neu0000319
OpenAlex
W2530010419
Cited by
321
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 24 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 63 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 9
FWCI
14.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuropsychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › 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
major depressive disorder, first-episode depression, cognitive impairment, remission, processing speed, inhibition, verbal fluency, learning and memory, autobiographical memory, cognitive flexibility, IQ, age effects
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Male, Motor Skills, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychometrics, Reaction Time, Reference Values, Verbal Learning, Executive Function, Memory, Episodic

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