The effect of second-generation antidepressant treatment on the attention and mental processing speed of patients with major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis study with structural equation models

• Published in: Psychiatry research 2022-08, Vol.314, p.114662-114662, Article 114662
• Main Authors: Gudayol-Ferré, Esteve, Duarte-Rosas, Patricia, Peró-Cebollero, Maribel, Guàrdia-Olmos, Joan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antidepressant treatment; attention; Major depressive disorder; meta-analysis; Processing speed
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114662

•Attention and processing speed improved after pharmacological treatment of depression.•The improvement of both attention and processing speed after depression treatment is incomplete.•The improvement of attention and processing speed is influenced by age.•The improvement of attention and processing speed is influenced by years of education. Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been linked to attention and mental processing speed deficits that can be improved after pharmacological treatment. However, it is unclear whether a class of antidepressants is more effective than others to ameliorate these deficits in MDD. Additionally, the possible effects of clinical and demographic variables on improving MDD attention and processing speed deficits after antidepressant treatment are unknown. We aimed to study the possible neuropsychological effects of second-generation antidepressant classes on the attention and processing speed of MDD patients and the potential influences of clinical and demographic variables as moderators of these effects using a meta-analytic approach. Twenty-five papers were included in our study. A structural equation model meta-analysis was performed. The improvement of attention and processing speed after pharmacological treatment is clinically relevant but incomplete. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and dual inhibitors are the drugs causing the greatest improvement in the processing speed of MDD patients. Antidepressant class is an important variable linked to processing speed improvement after MDD treatment. However, the degree of improvement in both cognitive functions is strongly influenced by some clinical and demographic variables of depressed patients, such are age and education of the MDD patients, the duration of the antidepressant treatment, and the depression status of the patients.