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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
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Understanding how depression genetic liability shapes executive function: Epidemiological evidence for

Laísa Camerini1, Marina Xavier Carpena2, Victor F Santana3

  • 1Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|May 30, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Genetic liability to major depression (MD) is linked to poorer executive function (EF) in adolescents. Adolescent MD symptoms partially mediate this link, highlighting the role of familial environments in cognitive development.

Keywords:
AdolescenceDepressionExecutive functionMaternal depressionMediationPolygenic risk

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Executive function (EF) impairments are prevalent in major depression (MD).
  • The developmental pathways linking genetic liability for MD to cognitive outcomes are not well understood.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for identifying early intervention targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between genetic liability for MD and EF performance in adolescents.
  • To examine the mediating roles of adolescent and maternal MD symptoms in this association.
  • To explore the influence of familial emotional environments on cognitive development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Brazil).
  • Assessed EF at ages 11 and 15 using selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and spatial working memory tasks.
  • Employed a polygenic score for MD (MD-PGS) and structural equation modeling, including mediation analyses.

Main Results:

  • Higher MD-PGS was significantly associated with poorer EF performance at ages 11 and 15.
  • Adolescent MD symptoms partially mediated the relationship between MD-PGS and EF (7-12% mediation).
  • Indirect effects via maternal MD symptoms were attenuated after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic liability for MD is associated with impaired executive function in adolescence.
  • Adolescent depressive symptoms play a partial mediating role, underscoring familial influences.
  • Early prevention efforts targeting MD symptoms may mitigate negative impacts on cognitive development.