The influence of depression on cognitive functions in the remission period. What changes can be observed in cognitive functions during the course of mood improvement until the remission period?

The aim of this study is to summarize a research on cognitive functions and depressive disorder with focus on the remission period and to map, on this background, using a longitudinal design, changes in cognitive performance of the depressive patients during the course of mood improvement until the remission period. We set together a test battery consisting of two cognitive functions measures (AVLT, Letter-number sequencing), two mood rating instruments (BDI, MADRS) and two additional questionnaires (Unfavourable-events questionnaire and Social support Survey - MOS). We included an interview, as well. The research took place in Prague psychiatric centre. The sample consisted of 10 inpatients with unipolar depressive disorder according to ICD-10. 4 of the patients were excluded - 2 of them for deeper mood impairment and other 2 for early discharge from the clinic. Only 2 of the remaining 6 patients achieved remission. We present their case studies in this thesis. The conclusion of this study is that the image of cognitive performance in depressed patients can be various. All patients experienced subjective cognitive performance impairment and work ability impairment. We didn't observe, in some of the patients, cognitive performance impairment in the neuropsychological measures used. When cognitive impairment..