Negative attentional bias as a transdiagnostic psychiatric marker

Contains fulltext : 236409.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)The majority of individuals with depression also have a concomitant diagnosis (comorbidity) of, for instance, an anxiety disorder, ADHD and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This high comorbidity may indicate overlapping underlying cognitive mechanisms. One such possible vulnerability factor can be negative attentional bias: individuals with depression have a stronger preference for negative than neutral or positive information. Studies have demonstrated that the presence of a negative bias in depressed individuals could make them more prone for developing additional depressive episodes and could act as a maintaining factor for depressive symptoms in currently depressed individuals. Recent studies have found evidence for the presence of biased processing of information in other disorders such as emotional disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders as well. Therefore, to study this more in depth, this dissertation investigated whether attentional bias is also present in individuals with other (comorbid) psychiatric disorders besides depression, and if so, biased attention processing could be an overlapping cognitive marker in these disorders. Results demonstrated the presence of negative attentional bias in depression, but not in ASD without depression. Moreover, no evidence was found for associations of negative attentional bias with symptoms of ASD, depression, and anxiety sensitivity. However, evidence has been found that there is an association of symptoms of ADHD and negative attentional bias in individuals with depression and/or anxiety disorder(s). These results suggest, that negative attentional bias is potentially only a cognitive marker of depression. However, and interestingly, this negative attentional bias was also present despite additional comorbidity of for instance ASD and ADHD. For future studies, more uniformity in the way attentional bias is measured as well as assessing (comorbid) psychiatric disorders and/or symptoms is of key importance.Radboud University, 16 september 2021Promotores : Schene, A.H., Vissers, C.T.W.M. Co-promotor : Vrijsen, J.N.180 p