Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: April 26, 2024
Relationship between residual symptoms of depression and self-reported cognitive impairment
Paola Pedrelli1, Lee Baer, Dan V Losifescu
1Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA. ppedrelli@partners.org
Objective:
The present study aimed to investigate the associations between residual symptoms of depression and specific self-reported symptoms in several cognitive domains.
Methods:
The study investigated 117 patients with partially or fully remitted major depressive disorder (MDD) after treatment with antidepressant medications.
Results:
Fatigue was significantly associated with inability to focus, alertness, and feeling "blue"; low interest and difficulty with concentration were associated with apathy. No associations were found between deficits in the cognitive domains considered and residual symptoms such as self-blaming, feeling worthless, feeling hopeless, having suicidal thoughts, difficulty with sleep, and lack of appetite.
Conclusion:
Among MDD remitted patients endorsing residual symptoms such as fatigue and feeling "blue", deficits in a range of cognitive domains should be carefully assessed and treated.
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