Understanding how depression genetic liability shapes executive function: Epidemiological evidence for...

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.