Cognitive training in affective disorders improves memory: a preliminary study using the NEAR approach

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with neuropsychological deficits affecting psychomotor speed, executive functions, and memory.
• These cognitive impairments can persist even with antidepressant treatment.
• Cognitive training has shown efficacy in other psychiatric conditions, but its use in MDD is under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive training in improving neuropsychological deficits in patients with major depressive disorder.
• To explore cognitive training as a potential non-pharmacological treatment for MDD.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder participated.
• Participants were assigned to either a 10-week cognitive training program (Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation) or a waitlist control group.
• Neuropsychological tests were administered before and after the intervention by blinded assessors.

Main Results:

• The cognitive training group showed significant improvements in memory encoding and retention compared to the waitlist control group.
• No significant benefits were observed in psychomotor speed, executive functions, or self-reported disability.
• Affective symptoms remained stable in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive training demonstrates potential for improving memory performance in individuals with affective disorders.
• This approach may serve as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to enhance cognitive functions, potentially leading to improved psychosocial functioning and reduced disability.
• Findings suggest cognitive training may promote neuroplasticity in the context of depression.