If you feel you can't, you won't: the role of subjective and objective cognitive competence on psychosocial functioning in depression.

Background: The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the role of sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive - both objective and subjective - factors in overall and in specific domains of psychosocial functioning, in patients with depression at different clinical states of the disease (remitted and non-remitted).

Methods: A sample of 325 patients with major depressive disorder, 117 in remission and 208 in non-remission, were assessed with a semi-structured interview collecting sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive (with neuropsychological tests and the Perceived Deficit Questionnaire), and functional (Functioning Assessment Short Test) characteristics. Backward regression models were conducted to determine associations of global and specific areas of functioning with independent factors, for both clinical states.

Response and Safety Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Depression After Subcallosal Cingulate Gyrus Deep Brain Stimulation: Long-term Follow-up Study.

To replicate previous findings and to investigate related clinical factors of long-term benefits and safety of subcallosal cingulate gyrus deep brain stimulation (SCG-DBS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Sixteen patients with TRD (with either major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, and criteria) receiving chronic SCG-DBS were followed for up to 11 years (January 2008 to June 2019). Demographic, clinical, and functioning data were collected pre-surgery and during the follow-up.

Randomized clinical trial of integral cognitive remediation program for major depression (INCREM).

Background: Despite achieving clinical remission, patients with depression encounter difficulties to return to their premorbid psychosocial functioning. Cognitive dysfunction has been proposed to be a primary mediator of functional impairment. Therefore, the new non-pharmacological procognitive strategy INtegral Cognitive REMediation for Depression (INCREM) has been developed with the aim of targeting cognitive and psychosocial functioning.

Unhappy While Depressed: Examining the Dimensionality, Reliability and Validity of the Subjective Happiness Scale in a Spanish Sample of Patients with Depressive Disorders.

Despite the considerable amount of research evidence on the significant role of subjective happiness on mental health, there is no psychometric study of the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) in psychiatric samples. This study was aimed at exploring the psychometric properties of the SHS in a Spanish sample of patients with depressive disorders. Participants were 174 patients with a depressive disorder (70% diagnosed as major depressive disorder) who completed the SHS, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR), and the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D VAS).

Glutamatergic and GABA-ergic abnormalities in First-episode depression. A 1-year follow-up 1H-MR spectroscopic study.

Background: Previous magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) studies have reported brain metabolic abnormalities in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Nevertheless, results have been inconsistent, focusing on fully developed major depression neglecting first episode patients (FED). Longitudinal studies have also been rare and with short follow-up periods.

Deep brain stimulation in treatment resistant schizophrenia: A pilot randomized cross-over clinical trial.

Background: Up to 30% of patients with schizophrenia are resistant to antipsychotic drug treatment, with 60% of such cases also failing to respond to clozapine. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used in treatment resistant patients with other psychiatric disorders, but there is a lack of trials in schizophrenia, partly due to uncertainties over where to site the electrodes. This trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (subgenual ACC) targeted DBS; the primary outcome measure was PANSS total score, as assessed fortnightly.

Testing the efficacy of INtegral Cognitive REMediation (INCREM) in major depressive disorder: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Given the limitation of pharmacological treatments to treat cognitive symptoms in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), cognitive remediation programs has been proposed as a possible procognitive intervention but findings are not conclusive. This study investigates the efficacy of an INtegral Cognitive REMediation (INCREM) that includes a combination of a Functional Remediation (FR) strategy plus a Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) in order to improve not only cognitive performance but also the psychosocial functioning and the quality of life.

Methods: A single blind randomized controlled clinical trial in 81 patients with a diagnosis of MDD in clinical remission or in partial remission.

Looking into the effect of multi-item symptom domains on psychometric characteristics of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR).

Exploring depressive symptom severity is progressively shifting from the traditional assessment of symptom domains to detailed examination of individual symptoms. This study aimed at determining whether using an alternative scoring method (i.e.

Rationale and methods of the iFightDepression study: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool for moderate to mild depression.

Background: During the last decade online interventions have emerged as a promising approach for patients with mild/moderate depressive symptoms, reaching at large populations and representing cost-effective alternatives. The main objective of this double-blind, randomized controlled trial is to examine the efficacy of an internet-based self-management tool (iFightDepression) for mild to moderate depression as an add-on to treatment as usual (TAU) versus internet-based psychoeducation plus TAU.

Methods: A total of 310 participants with major depression disorder (MDD) will be recruited at four different mental-health facilities in Spain.

Lack of relationship between plasma levels of escitalopram and QTc-interval length.

Despite safety concerns raised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), evidence supporting QT-lengthening effects of escitalopram is far to be conclusive. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between escitalopram plasma levels (Escit-PL) and corrected QT-interval length (QTc-length) in 91 outpatients recruited from a hospital setting. Fifteen patients had an abnormally prolonged QTc-interval, and 3 had QTc-intervals ≥500 ms.

NATURALISTIC COURSE OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER PREDICTED BY CLINICAL AND STRUCTURAL NEUROIMAGING DATA: A 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP.

Background: Despite its high recurrence rate, major depression disorder (MDD) still lacks neurobiological markers to optimize treatment selection. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic potential of clinical and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in the long-term MDD clinical outcomes (COs).

Methods: Forty-nine MDD patients were grouped into one of four different CO categories according to their trajectory: recovery, partial remission, remission recurrence, and chronic depression.

A randomized double-blind crossover trial of deep brain stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate gyrus in patients with treatment-resistant depression: a pilot study of relapse prevention.

Background: To date, antidepressant drugs show limited efficacy, leaving a large number of patients experiencing severe and persistent symptoms of major depression. Previous open-label clinical trials have reported significant sustained improvements with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subcallosal cingulate gyrus (SCG) in patients with severe, chronic treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This study aimed to confirm the efficacy and measure the impact of discontinuation of the electrical stimulation.

Cognitive functioning after deep brain stimulation in subcallosal cingulate gyrus for treatment-resistant depression: an exploratory study.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is being investigated as a therapeutic alternative for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but its cognitive safety has been scarcely explored. The aim of this exploratory study is to evaluate cognitive function of patients before and after deep brain stimulation of the subgenual cingulate gyrus (SCG). Eight treatment-resistant depressed patients were implanted in subgenual cingulate gyrus.

Immediate cerebral metabolic changes induced by discontinuation of deep brain stimulation of subcallosal cingulate gyrus in treatment-resistant depression.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) studies have shown that the antidepressant effect of chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subcallosal cingulate gyrus (SCG) may be consequence of modifications of brain metabolism at key structures involved in depression. Like clinical benefits, these metabolic changes may reverse when the stimulation is discontinued, even preceding clinical worsening. However no data on immediate effects of DBS discontinuation are available.

The Spanish version of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR16): a psychometric analysis in a clinical sample.

Background: Psychometrically robust and easy-to-administer scales for depressive symptoms are necessary for research and clinical assessment. This is a psychometric study of the Spanish version of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR16) in a clinical sample.

Method: One-hundred and seventy-three patients (65% women) with a psychiatric disorder including depressive symptoms were recruited.

Neuropsychological effects of maintenance treatment with Clozapine in Treatment-Resistant Psychotic Disorder.

Introduction: Clozapine is a second-generation antipsychotic drug that is mainly prescribed for treatment-resistant psychotic disorder. It is known to have several undesirable side effects, including cognitive functional complaints, such as memory or attention. The aim of this work is to study if reduction of the dosage within the therapeutic margins could improve cognitive performance of Clozapine treated patients.

A psychometric analysis of the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale (CUDOS) in Spanish patients.

Background: Psychometrically sound and time-efficient scales that measure depressive symptoms are essential for research and clinical practice. This study was aimed at exploring the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale (CUDOS) in a clinical sample.

Method: Participants were 162 patients (72% women) with a mood disorder (86% diagnosed as major depressive disorder).

Effects of illness duration and treatment resistance on grey matter abnormalities in major depression.

Background: Findings of brain structural changes in major depressive disorder are still inconsistent, partly because some crucial clinical variables have not been taken into account.

Aims: To investigate the effect of major depressive disorder on grey matter volumes.

Method: Voxel-based morphometry was used to compare 66 patients with depression at different illness stages (22 each with first-episode, remitted-recurrent and treatment resistant/chronic depression) with 32 healthy controls.

Hippocampal abnormalities of glutamate/glutamine, N-acetylaspartate and choline in patients with depression are related to past illness burden.

Background: Smaller hippocampal volumes in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been linked with earlier onset, previous recurrences and treatment refractoriness. The aim of our study was to investigate metabolite abnormalities in the hippocampus associated with past depressive illness burden.

Methods: Glutamate/glutamine (Glx), N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho), potential markers of glial/neuronal integrity and membrane turnover, respectively, were measured in adults with depression and healthy controls using a 3 T magnetic resonance spectroscopy scanner.

Deep brain stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate gyrus: further evidence in treatment-resistant major depression.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is currently tested as an experimental therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Here we report on the short- and long-term (1 yr) clinical outcomes and tolerance of DBS in eight TRD patients. Electrodes were implanted bilaterally in the subgenual cingulate gyrus (SCG; Broadman areas 24-25), and stimulated at 135 Hz (90-μs pulsewidth).

Can we really accelerate and enhance the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant effect? A randomized clinical trial and a meta-analysis of pindolol in nonresistant depression.

Objective: Since depression entails not only dramatic personal disruption but also a huge amount of medical and socioeconomic burden, slowness of antidepressant action and difficulties to attain remission are entangled issues to be solved. Given the controversial previous findings with enhancing strategies such as pindolol, we examined whether the speed of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) action can be truly accelerated with optimized pindolol dosage. Additionally, we aimed at elucidating whether pindolol benefits emerge, particularly in a population with nonresistant depression.

Ventromedial prefrontal spectroscopic abnormalities over the course of depression: a comparison among first episode, remitted recurrent and chronic patients.

Structural and neuropathological alterations in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) described in depression (MDD) might become even more pronounced over the course of illness. Measurement of brain metabolites by means of Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can indirectly deliver information about glial and neuronal integrity or potential cellular loss. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glutamate (Glu), Choline (Cho) and total N-acetylaspartate (total-NAA) levels in the vmPFC differed among MDD patients in distinct stages of illness and healthy controls.