Cognitive performance and subjective complaints before and after remission of major depression.
BACKGROUND
Patients with major depression report on severe cognitive deficits but objective neuropsychological test results indicate rather mild problems. In the present study we aimed at investigating neuropsychological performance, subjective complaints, and observer ratings of cognitive abilities in everyday life.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with major depression were studied in the acute state of illness and after remission. Fifteen healthy control subjects were investigated, too. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery, questionnaires for self and observer rating of cognitive abilities, and clinical questionnaires were administered.


RESULTS
As expected problems reported in self and observer ratings exceeded neuropsychological deficits in tests. Neuropsychological test results tended to be improved at the second test session, with patients showing a more pronounced improvement in flexibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The data support the hypothesis that cognitive problems in everyday life indeed exceed results in standardised tests. However, it seems also likely from our data that results are additionally influenced by patients negative self perception.
Lahr
Denise
D
Mara Hospital, Rehabilitation Unit, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Bielefeld, Germany. denise.lahr@evkb.de
Beblo
Thomas
T
Hartje
Wolfgang
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires