Neuropsychological Evaluation of Attention Skills in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder that evolves to cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that cognitive deficits persist even after an improvement or total remission of depressive symptoms. However, little is known about the functioning of sustained and divided attention after the acute phase of the disorder. The aim of this study was to perform a neuropsychological evaluation of these attentional skills in MDD outpatients, in continuation or maintenance phases of treatment, comparing two groups: 1 – MDD Group (GD), consisting of outpatients with a MDD diagnosis, and 2 – Control Group (GC), consisting of individuals with no diagnosis of MDD. Participants included 26 (GD, n=12 and GC, n=14) individuals of both sex whose ages were between 20 and 55 years, assessed by the Battery General Mental Functions 1 and 2. Results showed loss of sustained and divided attention among the members of the MDD group. These findings suggest alteration of the fronto-parietal neural network.