A Novel Experimental Method for Examining Response to Neurocognitive Challenge in Depression
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Authors
Simourd, Lindsay
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Neurocognition , Depression
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background: Neurocognitive impairment is a core feature of depression and a robust predictor of everyday functioning. Impairments in psychomotor speed, memory, attention, and executive functioning in depression have regularly been identified throughout the literature. However, knowledge of the contextual factors which may elicit neurocognitive impairment in depression is lacking. Depressotypic thinking, including negatively biased information processing and automatic thought content, has been theorized to impede neurocognitive functioning. This research explored the possibility that neurocognitive load and the perception of neurocognitive challenge are particularly salient contextual features of a task which may elicit depressotypic interference during task completion. In this study, I examined how individuals with depression respond to the initial level of neurocognitive load presented within a task and the subsequent effect on objective and subjective task performance.
Method: Individuals with depression (n =20) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 20) were randomly assigned to complete the n-back task in order of increasing difficulty (i.e., 1-, 2-, and then 3-back) or in order of decreasing difficulty (i.e., 3-, 2-, and then 1-back). Given that it is centrally located between the extremes of highest and lowest neurocognitive challenge, I examined differences in objective performance accuracy and estimates of perceived performance accuracy on the 2-back specifically.
Results: I did not find statistically significant support for the hypothesis that individuals with depression within the decreasing neurocognitive load condition would demonstrate the poorest performance accuracy. Additionally, I did not find significant evidence for the hypothesis that individuals with depression who completed the most challenging level first would demonstrate uniquely poor estimates of their performance accuracy.
Conclusion: This research highlighted the complexity of measuring neurocognition in depression and the utility of designing alternative measurement approaches. The interaction between features of the depressed mood and neurocognitive performance continues to be an area requiring attention within the literature.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.