A longitudinal study of cognitive function in melancholic and non-melancholic subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder

摘要: Abstract Background Research concerning cognition in depression has often yielded inconsistent findings. The presence of mixed melancholic and non-melancholic subtypes major depressive disorder (MDD) most previous research may explain some the contradictory results ( Hickie, 1996 ). Methods This longitudinal study compared cognitive performance people with (n = 17) MDD admitted to one two university hospitals. Participants received an extensive clinical assessment at admission again 3 months after recovery discharge. Results Overall, participants melancholia had selective memory deficits broader impairment executive control skills. Specifically, correcting for severity, they performed more poorly on tests requiring acquisition, mental flexibility, set-shifting, attention, concept-formation multi-tasking those depression. These were present both assessments suggesting that increased initial severity mean require a longer time recovery. Limitations homogeneity sample underestimate extent presenting comorbid illness and/or significant drug/alcohol histories. Conclusions findings indicate depressed group have distinctly different impaired profile without features suggest these should be considered separately future MDD. Furthermore, appears periods this implications return work daily functioning following