BACKGROUND: Executive functioning deficits (EFDs) have been found in adults with major depression and some anxiety disorders, yet it is unknown whether these deficits predate onset of disorder, or whether they reflect acute symptoms. Studies of at-risk offspring can shed light on this question by examining whether EFDs characterize children at high risk for depression and anxiety who are not yet symptomatic. METHODS: This study examined neuropsychological functioning in a sample of 147 children, ages 6-17 years (M age=9.16, SD=1.82), of parents with major depression (MDD) and/or panic disorder (PD) and of controls with neither disorder. Children were assessed via structured diagnostic interviews and neuropsychological measures. RESULTS: Although parental MDD and PD were not associated with neuropsychological impairments, presence of current offspring MDD was associated with poorer performance on several executive functioning and processing speed measures. Children with current generalized anxiety showed poorer verbal memory, whereas children with social phobia had more omissions on a continuous performance task. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that EFDs do not serve as trait markers for developing anxiety or depression but appear to be symptomatic of current disorder.
BACKGROUND: Executive functioning deficits (EFDs) have been found in adults with major depression and some anxiety disorders, yet it is unknown whether these deficits predate onset of disorder, or whether they reflect acute symptoms. Studies of at-risk offspring can shed light on this question by examining whether EFDs characterize children at high risk for depression and anxiety who are not yet symptomatic. METHODS: This study examined neuropsychological functioning in a sample of 147 children, ages 6-17 years (M age=9.16, SD=1.82), of parents with major depression (MDD) and/or panic disorder (PD) and of controls with neither disorder. Children were assessed via structured diagnostic interviews and neuropsychological measures. RESULTS: Although parental MDD and PD were not associated with neuropsychological impairments, presence of current offspring MDD was associated with poorer performance on several executive functioning and processing speed measures. Children with current generalized anxiety showed poorer verbal memory, whereas children with social phobia had more omissions on a continuous performance task. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that EFDs do not serve as trait markers for developing anxiety or depression but appear to be symptomatic of current disorder.
Authors: Patrick McGorry; Matcheri Keshavan; Sherilyn Goldstone; Paul Amminger; Kelly Allott; Michael Berk; Suzie Lavoie; Christos Pantelis; Alison Yung; Stephen Wood; Ian Hickie Journal: World Psychiatry Date: 2014-10 Impact factor: 49.548
Authors: Manpreet K Singh; Sara M Leslie; Kalpa Bhattacharjee; Melina Gross; Elizabeth F Weisman; Laila M Soudi; Owen R Phillips; Alexander Onopa Journal: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol Date: 2017-11-23 Impact factor: 2.475
Authors: Timothy D Nelson; Katherine M Kidwell; Jennifer Mize Nelson; Cara C Tomaso; Maren Hankey; Kimberly Andrews Espy Journal: J Abnorm Child Psychol Date: 2018-10
Authors: Katie L Bessette; Aimee J Karstens; Natania A Crane; Amy T Peters; Jonathan P Stange; Kathleen H Elverman; Sarah Shizuko Morimoto; Sara L Weisenbach; Scott A Langenecker Journal: Neuropsychol Rev Date: 2020-01-15 Impact factor: 7.444