Working memory function in patients with major depression disorder: A narrative review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Working memory (WM) deficits are a significant cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder (MDD).
• Understanding the neural underpinnings and functional impact of WM impairment is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of impaired WM function in MDD patients.
• To explore non-invasive and effective treatments for WM deficits in MDD.
• To synthesize current literature on brain function, cognitive processing, and therapeutic interventions for WM in depression.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of studies examining brain function and areas related to WM in depression.
• Analysis of the impact of impaired WM on cognitive processing in individuals with depression.
• Integration of explored treatments for WM deficits in MDD.

Main Results:

• Central executive (CE) components of WM are implicated in cognitive biases, repetitive negative thinking, and rumination in MDD.
• Key brain regions involved in CE functioning include the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and default mode network (DMN).
• Psychotherapy, cognitive training, exercise, and physical therapy are identified as potential complementary treatments.

Conclusions:

• Impaired WM, particularly CE function, contributes to cognitive biases in MDD.
• Specific prefrontal and DMN regions are critical for CE function in depression.
• Non-invasive therapies offer promising avenues for managing WM deficits in MDD.