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Are major depression and bipolar disorder neuropsychologically distinct? A meta-analysis of comparative studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

C. Samamé ,
A.G. Szmulewicz ,
M.P. Valerio ,
D.J. Martino  and
S.A. Strejilevich
C. Samamé
Affiliation:
Bipolar Disorder Program, Institute of Neurosciences, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina School of Psychology, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
A.G. Szmulewicz
Affiliation:
Bipolar Disorder Program, Institute of Neurosciences, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Psychiatric Emergencies Hospital Torcuato de Alvear, Buenos Aires, Argentina
M.P. Valerio
Affiliation:
National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina Psychiatric Emergencies Hospital Torcuato de Alvear, Buenos Aires, Argentina
D.J. Martino
Affiliation:
Bipolar Disorder Program, Institute of Neurosciences, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
S.A. Strejilevich*
Affiliation:
Bipolar Disorder Program, Institute of Neurosciences, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina Institute of Cognitive Neurology (INECO), Buenos Aires, Argentina
*
⁎Corresponding author. Gurruchaga, 2463, 18 C (1425), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tel.: +5411 4833 2424; fax: +5411 4833 2424. E-mail address:sstreji@gmail.com (S.A. Strejilevich).
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Abstract

Background

Neuropsychological deficits are present in both major depression and bipolar disorder. So far, however, reports directly comparing these mood disorders with regard to cognitive outcomes have been scant and yielded inconsistent results. This work aims to combine the findings of comparative studies of cognition in major depression and bipolar disorder in order to explore whether these neuropsychiatric conditions present with distinct cognitive features.

Methods

The main online databases were extensively searched to retrieve reports assessing neurocognitive functioning in two groups of mood disorder patients, one with major depressive disorder and another with bipolar disorder, both in the same phase of illness. Between-group effect sizes for cognitive variables were obtained from selected studies and pooled by means of meta-analytic procedures.

Results

During euthymia, a significant overall effect size (Hedges’g = 0.64, P < 0.001) favoring major depressive disorder was found for verbal memory as assessed with list learning tests, whereas no significant between-group differences were found for the remaining variables analyzed. During depressive episodes, similar cognitive outcomes were observed between groups.

Conclusion

At present, it is not possible to postulate specific neuropsychological profiles for major depression and bipolar disorder in light of available evidence. It remains to be ascertained whether the differences found for verbal memory constitute an expression of distinct underlying mechanisms or whether they are best explained by sample characteristics or differential exposure to variables with a negative impact on cognition.

Keywords

Major depressive disorderBipolar disorderCognitive functioningMeta-analysis
Type
Review
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 39 , January 2017 , pp. 17 - 26
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2017

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