Neurocognitive dysfunction in adolescents with recent onset major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional comparative study
Authors: Bienek Olga , Allott Kelly , Antonucci Linda , Bertolino Alessandro , Bonivento Carolina , Borgwardt Stephan , Brambilla Paolo , Chisholm Katharine , Dannlowski Udo , Lichtenstein Theresa K. , Kambeitz Joseph , Kambeitz-Ilankovic Lana , Koutsouleris Nikolaos , Lencer Rebekka , Griffiths Siân Lowri , Maggioni Eleonora , Meisenzahl Eva , Pantelis Christos , Rosen Marlene , Ruhrmann Stephan , Salokangas Raimo K. R. , Stainton Alexandra , Surmann Marian , Upthegrove Rachel , Wenzel Julian , Wood Stephen J. , Romer Georg , Müller Jörg Michael ,   the PRONIA Consortium, Haas Shalaila , Hasan Alkomiet , Hoff Claudius , Khanyaree Ifrah , Melo Aylin , Muckenhuber-Sternbauer Susanna , Köhler Yanis , Öztürk Ömer , Penzel Nora , Popovic David , Rangnick Adrian , Saldern Sebastian , Sanfelici Rachele , Spangemacher Moritz , Tupac Ana , Urquijo-Castro Maria Fernanda , Weiske Johanna , Wosgien Antonia , Krämer Camilla , Blume Karsten , Hedderich Dennis , Julkowski Dominika , Kaiser Nathalie , Lichtenstein Thorsten , Milz Ruth , Nikolaides Alexandra , Pilgram Tanja , Seves Mauro , Wassen Martina , Andreou Christina , Egloff Laura , Harrisberger Fabienne , Heitz Ulrike , Lenz Claudia , Leanza Letizia , Mackintosh Amatya , Smieskova Renata , Studerus Erich , Walter Anna , Widmayer Sonja , Day Chris , Griffiths Sian Lowri , Iqbal Mariam , Pelton Mirabel , Mallikarjun Pavan , Lin Ashleigh , Denissoff Alexander , Ellilä Anu , From Tiina , Heinimaa Markus , Ilonen Tuula , Jalo Päivi , Laurikainen Heikki , Luutonen Antti , Mäkela Akseli , Paju Janina , Pesonen Henri , Säilä Reetta-Liina , Toivonen Anna , Turtonen Otto , Botterweck Sonja , Kluthausen Norman , Antoch Gerald , Caspers Julian , Wittsack Hans-Jörg , Blasi Giuseppe , Pergola Giulio , Caforio Grazia , Fazio Leonardo , Quarto Tiziana , Gelao Barbara , Romano Raffaella , Andriola Ileana , Falsetti Andrea , Barone Marina , Passiatore Roberta , Sangiuliano Marina , Solana Ana Beatriz , Abraham Manuela , Schirmer Timo , Altamura Carlo , Belleri Marika , Bottinelli Francesca , Ferro Adele , Re Marta , Monzani Emiliano , Sberna Maurizio , Perna Giampaolo , Nobile Maria , Alciati Alessandra , D’Agostino Armando , Fabro Lorenzo Del , Balestrieri Matteo , Cabras Giuseppe , Fabbro Franco , Garzitto Marco , Piccin Sara 
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the neurocognitive deficits associated with the first episode of major depressive disorder (recent onset depression, ROD) in adolescents as compared to adult patients. Cross-sectional neurocognitive data from the baseline assessments of the PRONIA study with N = 650 (55.31% females) were analyzed. Based on a principal component analysis of eleven neurocognitive tests, we constructed an overall neurocognitive performance (NP) score. We examined mean score differences in NP between the groups of healthy controls (HC) and ROD and between adolescents (15–21 years) and adults (22–40 years) within a GLM approach. This accounts for unbalanced data with focus on interaction effects while controlling for effects of medication and educational years. Our results show lower NP for the ROD as compared to the HC group (d = − 0.29, p = .046) and lower NP for the adolescent group as compared to the adult group (d = − 0.29; p < .039). There was no interaction between these two group effects (F = 1.11; p = .29). Our findings suggest that the detrimental effect of ROD on neurocognitive functioning is comparable in adolescent and adult patients, since lower scores in adolescent patients are explained by effects of age and education. Neurocognitive impairment is an under addressed issue in clinical treatment guidelines for adolescent MDD. We suggest efficient monitoring in clinical practice by using an aggregate of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and the Trail Making Test B, which highly correlated with the overall score of NP (r = 0.82).