Original Research J Clin Psychiatry July 2020

Procognitive Effects of Antidepressants and Other Therapeutic Agents in Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review

JCP 2020;81(4):10.4088/JCP.19r13200

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in J Clin Psychiatry. Clinical Summary Many patients with major depressive disorder continue to struggle with attention, memory, processing speed, and executive dysfunction even after mood symptoms improve, and these deficits are closely tied to work and social impairment. This review matters because medication choices for major depressive disorder are usually guided by mood response, yet clinicians increasingly need evidence on which agents also improve objective cognitive performance. FAQ Which antidepressant had the strongest evidence for improving cognition in major depressive disorder?

Key Takeaways When selecting treatment for cognitive symptoms in major depressive disorder, prioritize evidence from placebo-controlled trials with objective cognitive endpoints, as many positive signals in this review came from small open-label studies and several cognitive gains were moderated by improvement in depressive severity. Clinical Guide How should clinicians choose pharmacologic treatment when cognitive impairment is a priority in adults with major depressive disorder? Clinical Guide How should clinicians monitor whether treatment is improving cognition and day-to-day functioning in adults with major depressive disorder?