Assessment of neuropsychological functioning related to attention, verbal learning and executive functions in adolescent girls and boys with a depressive episode-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Assessment of neuropsychological functioning related to attention, verbal learning and executive functions in adolescent girls and boys with a depressive episode

Published:2024-07-24 Issue:1 Volume:24 Page:1-13
ISSN:1644-6313
Container-title:Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna
language:
Short-container-title:Psychiatr Psychol Klin

Author:

Urbańska-Grosz Justyna¹^ORCID,Sikorski Rafał²^ORCID,Sitek Emilia J.³^ORCID,Wieczorek Dariusz⁴^ORCID,Pakalska Anna⁵^ORCID,Pietraszczyk-Kędziora Bożena⁶,Skwarska Kalina⁶,Walkiewicz Maciej⁷^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Rehabilitation Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gdańsk Health Centre, Gdańsk, Poland; Laboratory of Clinical Neuropsychology, Neurolinguistics and Neuropsychotherapy, Division of Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

2. Laboratory of Clinical Neuropsychology, Neurolinguistics and Neuropsychotherapy, Division of Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, St. Vincent Hospital, Pomeranian Hospitals, Gdynia, Poland

3. Rehabilitation Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gdańsk Health Centre, Gdańsk, Poland; Laboratory of Clinical Neuropsychology, Neurolinguistics and Neuropsychotherapy, Division of Neurological and Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; Neurology Department, St. Adalbert Hospital, Copernicus Podmiot Leczniczy, Gdańsk, Poland

4. Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

5. Rehabilitation Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gdańsk Health Centre, Gdańsk, Poland; Department of Preventive Medicine and Education, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

6. Rehabilitation Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gdańsk Health Centre, Gdańsk, Poland

7. Rehabilitation Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gdańsk Health Centre, Gdańsk, Poland; Division of Quality of Life Research, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

Abstract

Introduction and objective: The aim of this study was to assess cognitive functions in adolescents with a depressive episode, associated with attention, processing speed, verbal learning, and executive function. Additionally, it focused on potential gender differences in the pattern and severity of the deficits. Materials and methods: The study involved 63 adolescents with a depressive episode (56% girls) and 43 healthy controls (48% girls), aged 16.92 ± 1.3 and 17.24 ± 1.16 years, respectively. The Polish versions of the Children’s Depression Inventory-2 and the Beck Depression Inventory-II were used as the measures of mood. Attention was assessed with the use of the d2 test. Processing speed and divided attention were measured with the Color Trails Test. Verbal learning was evaluated with the California Verbal Learning Test. Executive function was assessed with the use of the Ruff Figural Fluency Test, the Tower of London and the Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test. Results: The results show significant cognitive deficits in adolescents with a depressive episode, affecting attention, processing speed, divided attention, verbal learning and executive function, which is consistent with the evidence reported in the existing literature. Notably, planning deficits, measured with the tower task, were more prominent in girls. Verbal learning efficiency was related to the severity of depressive symptoms in depressive episode group. In verbal learning, regardless of gender, adolescents with depression used the semantic clustering strategy less often than their healthy peers. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for tailored therapeutic interventions and treatments for depressive disorders which may ultimately be important for improved academic performance of adolescents with depressive episodes, with particular attention to gender-specific cognitive profiles and approaches.

Funder

European Social Fund Plus

Publisher

Medical Communications Sp. z.o.o.

Reference39 articles.

1. Bakkour N, Samp J, Akhras K et al.: Systematic review of appropriate cognitive assessment instruments used in clinical trials of schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Psychiatry Res 2014; 216: 291–302.

2. Bardach NS, Coker TR, Zima BT et al.: Common and costly hospitalizations for pediatric mental health disorders. Pediatrics 2014; 133: 602–609.

3. Baune BT, Czira ME, Smith AL et al.: Neuropsychological performance in a sample of 13–25 year olds with a history of non-psychotic major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2012; 141: 441–448.

4. Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK: BDI-II. Inwentarz Depresji Becka – wydanie drugie. Pracownia Testów Psychologicznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychologicznego, Warszawa 2019.

5. Blakemore SJ, Choudhury S: Development of the adolescent brain: implications for executive function and social cognition. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2006; 47: 296–312.