Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...

Beck's Cognitive Therapy

Beck's Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is a psychological approach designed to address distortions in thinking, which can lead to negative emotions and unrealistic beliefs. These cognitive distortions often influence how individuals interpret and respond to situations, exacerbating emotional distress. Below are some prevalent cognitive distortions, their characteristics, and examples of how they manifest in thought processes.
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Efficacy and target engagement of dopamine agonist pramipexole for anhedonic depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Nature medicine·2026

Same author

Author Correction: Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on hippocampal longitudinal axis and its association with cognitive side effects.

Communications medicine·2026

Same author

A Secondary Analysis of Longitudinal Pilot-Study Data Investigating the Associations Between Health-Related Quality of Life and Executive Functions in Remitted Major Depressive Disorder and Developments Two-Years Following Cognitive Training.

Scandinavian journal of psychology·2025

Same author

Physical exercise augments cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

Cognitive behaviour therapy·2025

Same author

Executive functioning in adolescents with internalizing disorders: a systematic review.

European child & adolescent psychiatry·2025

Same author

Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on hippocampal longitudinal axis and its association with cognitive side effects.

Communications medicine·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Cognitive functioning in major depression--a summary.

Asa Hammar¹, Guro Ardal

¹Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen Bergen, Norway. aasa.hammar@psybp.uib.no

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

|October 15, 2009

Summary

Cognitive impairment is common in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) during acute phases. This impairment may persist even after symptom recovery, though research findings vary.

Keywords:

acute phase cognitive functioning impairment long-lasting major depression

More Related Videos

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Cognitive Psychology

Background:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition.
Cognitive dysfunction is a recognized symptom of MDD.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize recent research on cognitive functioning in MDD.
To explore the persistence and variability of cognitive deficits.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies published in the past decade.
Analysis of cognitive domains including executive functions, attention, memory, and psychomotor speed.
Examination of longitudinal studies and factors influencing cognitive impairment.

Main Results:

Cognitive impairment is frequently reported in the acute phase of MDD.
Deficits are observed across multiple cognitive domains.
Longitudinal data suggest that cognitive impairment may persist post-recovery.

Conclusions:

MDD is associated with significant cognitive impairment during acute illness.
Cognitive deficits may have a long-lasting impact, even after depressive symptoms subside.
Variability in findings may be attributed to factors like depression subtype, severity, and comorbidities.