Title: The Cognitive Functioning In Depression: A Neuropsychological Approach
Abstract: The cognitive impairment in depression includes qualitative and quantitative changes and spans a range of cognitive functions. A number of studies suggest a “subcortical” pattern of cognitive dysfunction in depression. Luria-Nebraska neuropsychological battery was administered to 15 male unmedicated inpatients who met DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and 15 male, healthy volunteers as control group. The aim of study is to compare the cognitive performance between two groups and to determine, if any, specific neuropsychological profile of depressed patients. The results indicate the right frontal and right parieto-occipital dysfunction in depressed patients and the “subcortical” pattern of cognitive dysfunction. This finding suggest that dysfunction of subcortical brain regions may be responsible for the cognitive impairment observed in depressed patients.