Patients Indicate Cognitive Impairment Improvement as High Priority in MDD Treatment

Key Clinical Summary

• Per a poster presented at Psych Congress Elevate, researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who had completed ≥3 months of antidepressant use and 5 clinicians.
• Cognitive impairment was reported by 86.7% (13/15) of patients, and 80% (4/5) of clinicians reported that patients with MDD typically present with cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment and lack of motivation were each identified as the most bothersome symptoms by 26.7% (4/15) of patients, while 33% (5/15) most wanted cognitive impairment improved with new treatment.
• The qualitative findings suggest a potential gap between patient and clinician treatment priorities, as clinicians identified fatigue and depression as primary treatment targets. Clinical relevance is limited by the small interview sample and qualitative design; the authors concluded that improving cognitive impairment may be an important patient-identified goal in MDD treatment.

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Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), alongside depression, fatigue, and anhedonia. Research presented via poster at the 10th annual Psych Congress Elevate in Las Vegas, Nevada, this week underscores the prevalence of cognitive impairment in MDD and highlights patients’ desire to resolve the symptom.

Study Methods

To further understand the impact of cognitive symptoms in MDD, researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 adult patients who had been diagnosed and completed 3 or more months of antidepressant use, and with 5 clinicians (2 psychiatrists, 3 primary care) who treat MDD. Interviews addressed MDD symptoms, functional impact, and treatment priorities. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using “established qualitative methods.”

Study Findings

The interviews revealed that cognitive symptoms, including trouble concentrating and thinking, were a common feature of MDD, with 86.7% of the patients interviewed affirming they had experienced them. Of the clinicians, 80% reported that patients with MDD typically present with cognitive impairment.

Patients reported that the most bothersome MDD symptoms were cognitive impairment and lack of motivation (26.7% [4/15] for each). As for which symptom patients most wanted to see improved with new treatment, 33% (5/15) identified cognitive impairment. Clinicians, meanwhile, singled out fatigue and depression as the primary treatment targets in MDD. Patients repeatedly emphasized the need to improve cognitive impairment, including increasing mental clarity and focus.

These findings “highlight a potential gap between patient- and clinician-perceived priorities for MDD treatment,” the authors concluded.

This study was sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences.

Reference

Lautenbach J and Wallick C. Cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder: A patient-identified priority for functional recovery. Poster presented at Psych Congress Elevate: June 3-6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada.