title: Characterizing neurocognitive impairment in young people with major depression: state, trait, or scar?
abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects a quarter of adolescents and young adults and is associated with the greatest global burden of disease in this population. There is a growing literature, mostly in adults, showing that significant neurocognitive impairments are common in MDD. It remains unclear whether these impairments are pre-existing trait markers of MDD, state-related impairments that fluctuate with depressive symptoms, or 'scar' impairments that worsen with illness progression. The aim of this study is to provide a conceptual framework for understanding MDD and neurocognitive impairment in adolescence and young adulthood (ages 12-25 years).
  
  
  
  Examination of the evidence for neurocognitive deficits as trait, state, and scar features of MDD according to different study designs (family studies, premorbid studies, current depression, remitted depression, and longitudinal studies with repeated assessment) was conducted.
  
  
  
  The few premorbid and family studies conducted in youth provide equivocal evidence for neurocognitive impairments as trait markers of MDD. The presence of state-based neurocognitive impairment remains unclear as evidence comes mostly from cross-sectional studies. There are a limited, but growing number of longitudinal studies with repeated neurocognitive assessment in youth. Studies that examined neurocognition prior to the onset of MDD and with long-term follow-up provide tentative evidence for neurocognitive scarring.
  
  
  
  Neurocognitive impairment is a feature of MDD in adolescents and young adults. To better understand the nature, timing, and pattern of impairment, longitudinal studies that examine neurocognition before and after the development of full-threshold MDD, including following recurrence are needed. This knowledge will have important implications for mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of MDD in youth.
authors: OrygenThe National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia.
authors: Kelly
authors: K
authors: Allott
authors: The Melbourne Clinic Richmond Melbourne Australia; Royal Melbourne Hospital Parkville Melbourne Australia.
authors: Caroline A
authors: CA
authors: Fisher
authors: OrygenThe National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia.
authors: Gunther Paul
authors: GP
authors: Amminger
authors: Orygen The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Goodall
authors: OrygenThe National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Hetrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescence; cognition; deficits; early intervention; major depressive disorder; neuropsychological; young adulthood; youth