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Cited by 173Treatment of Major DepressionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

The role of cognitive dysfunction in the symptoms and remission from depression

Open access
Gonda, Xenia, Pompili, Maurizio, Serafini, Gianluca, Carvalho, Andre F., Rihmer, Zoltan, Dome, Peter·2015·Annals of General Psychiatry
DOI 10.1186/s12991-015-0068-9PMC PMC4578787
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Abstract

The disability and burden associated with major depression comes only in part from its affective symptoms; cognitive dysfunctions associated with depression also play a crucial role. Furthermore, these cognitive impairments during depression are manifold and multilevel affecting elementary and more complex cognitive processes equally. Several models from different directions tried to evaluate, conceptualize and understand the depth and magnitude of cognitive dysfunctions in depression and their bidirectional interactions with other types of depressive symptomatology including mood symptoms. In the current review, we briefly overview different types of cognitive symptoms and deficits related to major depression including hot and cold as well as trait- and state-like cognitive alterations and we also describe current knowledge related to the impact of cognitive impairments on the course and outcomes of depression including remission, residual symptoms, function, and response to treatment. We also emphasize shortcomings of currently available treatments for depression in sufficiently improving cognitive dysfunctions and point out the need for newer pharmacological approaches especially in cooperation with psychotherapeutic interventions.

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  • Positive functional outcomes of individuals with TRD are hampered by lingering neurocognitive dysfunction that decreases intervention efficacy and increases relapse.

    “Positive functional outcomes of individuals with TRD are hampered by lingering neurocognitive dysfunction that decreases intervention efficacy (Alexopoulos et al., 2015;Gonda et al., 2015;Story et al., 2008) and increases relapse (Alexopoulos, 2021;Gonda et al., 2015;Manning et al., 2015).”

    From Neurocognitive effects of theta burst stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in adults: A systematic review and recommendations for future research (2025) · cites this paper as Gonda et al., 2015

    The Conclusions say cognitive deficits in major depression affect therapeutic response, relapse risk, and functioning, and may persist during remission. The review sections on illness course and pharmacotherapy also link cognitive impairment to poorer functioning and worse SSRI response. These passages do not establish the claim specifically for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Taken together, these findings highlight the need for neurocognitive functioning to be a key target of treatment for depression.

    “Taken together, these findings highlight the need for neurocognitive functioning to be a key target of treatment for depression (Gonda et al., 2015;Kaser et al., 2017).”

    From Neurocognitive effects of theta burst stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in adults: A systematic review and recommendations for future research (2025) · cites this paper as Gonda et al., 2015

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References 38 · Cited by 173

Research works printed but not linked: 23

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Authors
Gonda, X., Pompili, M., Serafini, G., Carvalho, A. F., Rihmer, Z., & Dome, P.
Affiliations
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea (IT)
  • Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (IT)
  • Universidade Federal do Ceará (BR)
ORCID
Venue
Annals of General Psychiatry
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2015-09-22
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
27-27
ISSN
1744-859X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12991-015-0068-9
PMC
PMC4578787
OpenAlex
W1910272498
Cited by
173
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 1
FWCI
2.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Annals of General Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository of the Academy's Library (Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) (acceptedVersion)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutial Research Information System (University of Genoa) (submittedVersion)
  • Semmelweis University Repository (Semmelweis University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Magyar Tudományos Akadémia
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
cognitive impairment, major depressive disorder, depression remission, residual depressive symptoms, treatment response, antidepressant pharmacology, psychotherapy, functional disability

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