Executive Dysfunction Predicts Treatment Response to Neuroplasticity-Based Computerized Cognitive Remediation (nCCR-GD) in Elderly Patients with Major Depression.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Morimoto S, Gunning F, Wexler B, Hu W, Ilieva I, Liu J, Nitis J, Alexopoulos G
Journal	Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
Volume	24
Issue	10
Pagination	816-20
Date Published	07/01/2016
ISSN	1545-7214
Keywords	Cognitive Remediation, Depressive Disorder, Major, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Executive Function
Abstract	OBJECTIVES: Executive dysfunction (ED) is a predictor of poor treatment response of late-life depression to pharmacotherapy. In response to the consistency of these findings, we designed neuroplasticity-based computerized cognitive remediation (nCCR-GD) intervention to target and improve ED in patients who failed to remit with antidepressant treatment. This study tests the hypothesis that ED at baseline will predict favorable treatment response to nCCR-GD. METHODS: 11 elderly patients with treatment-resistant major depression were treated with a 30-hour, 4-week, unblinded, nCCR-GD treatment trial. Neuropsychological performance was assessed at baseline and after treatment ceased. RESULTS: ED at baseline was associated with greater reduction in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score over the 4-week treatment β = -0.74, F(2,8) = 10.85, p = 0.009, R(2) = 0.55. CONCLUSIONS: ED predicts favorable treatment response to nCCR-GD in older adults suffering from major depression resistant to antidepressants. This finding is opposed to studies testing pharmacotherapy where ED predicts poorer treatment response.
DOI	10.1016/j.jagp.2016.06.010
PubMed ID	27591163
PubMed Central ID	PMC5873289