Contemporary methods of improving cognitive dysfunction in clinical depression.

Contemporary methods of improving cognitive dysfunction in clinical depression. Expert Rev Neurother. 2019 Apr 25;:1-13 Authors: Knight MJ, Mills NT, Baune BT Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), with deficits observed across several domains (e.g., executive function, memory, attention). While depression alone is disabling, patients with cognitive deficits typically experience greater functional impairments, poorer clinical recovery, and reduced quality of life. Consequently, it is imperative to elucidate recent advances in our understanding of the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in MDD. Areas covered: This review spans psychological, physical, and pharmacological treatment approaches for cognitive dysfunction in depression. Where possible, the authors summarise where treatments have demonstrated efficacy in improving specific cognitive domains (e.g., attention), and highlight the differential mechanisms which underpin cognitive improvement. In addition, the roles of adjunctive cognitive treatments (e.g., exercise), and the possible side effects and drawbacks of specific treatments are explored. Expert opinion: Psychological treatments typically confer cognitive improvement alongside functional and/or clinical recovery; however, the efficacy of cognitive training and cognitive behavioral therapy to longitudinal cognitive improvement remains to be established. Recently developed pha...
Source: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics - Category: Neurology Tags: Expert Rev Neurother Source Type: research