Melancholic versus non-melancholic depression: differences on cognitive function. A longitudinal study protocol.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive dysfunction is common among depressed patients. However, the pattern and magnitude of impairment during episodes of major depressive disorder (MDD) through to clinical remission remains unclear. Heterogeneity of depressive patients and the lack of longitudinal studies may account for contradictory results in previous research.


METHODS
This longitudinal study will analyze cognitive differences between CORE-defined melancholic depressed patients (n = 60) and non-melancholic depressed patients (n = 60). A comprehensive clinical and cognitive assessment will be performed at admission and after 6 months. Cognitive dysfunction in both groups will be longitudinally compared, and the persistence of cognitive impairment after clinical remission will be determined.


CONCLUSIONS
The study of neuropsychological dysfunction and the cognitive changes through the different phases of depression arise a wide variety of difficulties. Several confounding variables must be controlled to determine if the presence of depression could be considered the only factor accounting for group differences.
Monzón
Saray
S
Institut Universitari d'Investigacions en Ciències de la Salut, University of Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. saraymp46@hotmail.com
Gili
Margalida
M
Vives
Margalida
M
Serrano
Maria Jesus
MJ
Bauza
Natalia
N
Molina
Rosa
R
García-Toro
Mauro
M
Salvà
Joan
J
Llobera
Joan
J
Roca
Miquel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index