Neuropsychological correlates of psychotic features in major depressive disorders: a review and meta-analysis

Neuropsychological functioning has been a focus of study in psychotic disorders for many decades. These studies have focused primarily on schizophrenia, and less so on the affective psychoses, including psychotic major depression PMD. Several studies have provided evidence of cognitive dysfunction in PMD. However, these studies have utilized different assessment methods and instruments. Consequently, a clear picture of the nature and severity of cognitive impairment in PMD has yet to emerge in the literature. The current review seeks to provide a summary of the literature by composing a quantitative and qualitative review of the research to date on the cognitive impairment in psychotic major depression, specifically as it contrasts to those deficits observed in nonpsychotic depression. This review also provides a summary model of the pathophysiology of PMD to provide the necessary context to understanding the biological mechanisms of these impairments. ----- * Corresponding author at current address: VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), 116B Psychology, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. This work is supported in part by grants from the NIMH (RO1 MH 50604 and T-32 MH 19938), as well as from the National Academy of Neuropsychology and NARSAD.