OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with deficits in executive cognitive function, including inhibitory control. However, inconsistencies have been found across studies. Depression is a heterogeneous disorder and these inconsistencies may therefore relate to heterogeneity in relatively small samples. METHOD: Here we sought to examine event-related potentials (ERPs) during a cognitive Go/No-Go task in melancholic (n = 60) and non-melancholic depressed patients (n = 54) relative to controls (n = 114). RESULTS: Behavioural responses indicate that inhibitory control processes are differentially affected by subtypes of depression such that melancholic patients exhibit a greater number of commission errors and more variable response rates in comparison to non-melancholic patients and controls respectively. However, ERPs do not differ during a cognitive Go/No-Go task when ERPs associated with correct responses are examined. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that while patients with melancholia differ from patients without melancholia and controls, no neurophysiological differences are observed when controlling for observable behavioural impairment.
OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with deficits in executive cognitive function, including inhibitory control. However, inconsistencies have been found across studies. Depression is a heterogeneous disorder and these inconsistencies may therefore relate to heterogeneity in relatively small samples. METHOD: Here we sought to examine event-related potentials (ERPs) during a cognitive Go/No-Go task in melancholic (n = 60) and non-melancholic depressedpatients (n = 54) relative to controls (n = 114). RESULTS: Behavioural responses indicate that inhibitory control processes are differentially affected by subtypes of depression such that melancholic patients exhibit a greater number of commission errors and more variable response rates in comparison to non-melancholic patients and controls respectively. However, ERPs do not differ during a cognitive Go/No-Go task when ERPs associated with correct responses are examined. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that while patients with melancholia differ from patients without melancholia and controls, no neurophysiological differences are observed when controlling for observable behavioural impairment.
Authors: José A Camacho-Conde; Leire Legarra; Vanesa M Bolinches; Patricia Cano; Mónica Guasch; María Llanos-Torres; Vanessa Serret; Miguel Mejías; Gema Climent Journal: J Pers Med Date: 2021-12-09