Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
Neuropsychological performance in partly remitted unipolar depressive patients: focus on executive functioning
Jens Westheide1, Michael Wagner, Boris B Quednow
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany. jens.westheide@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Background:
Only few studies have investigated executive impairment in the euthymic phase of unipolar affective disorders, yielding diverging results. The role of impulsivity/orbitofrontal associated executive functioning in remitted depression has not yet been examined.
Methods:
Partly remitted male out-patients (n = 15) with non-psychotic major depression (MDD) were compared with healthy males (n = 15) on several neuropsychological tests. Executive tasks focussed on orbitofrontal function (Go/No-Go, Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), delayed alternation task). Furthermore, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) was administered to all subjects.
Results:
Executive skills of the patients were largely unimpaired. Patients exhibited significant deficits on measures of verbal memory only. Residual depressive symptoms in patients were correlated with diminished response inhibition. BIS-11 scores were not elevated in the patients.
Conclusions:
Both executive impairment related to orbitofrontal function and self-reported impulsive behaviour in major depression seem to be state-dependent. In accordance with other studies, patients with remitted unipolar depression showed a persistent verbal memory loss.
