Features of cognitive functioning in individuals with affective and depressive disorders by gender and educational level

Kuznetsova U.; Dubinsky A.; Bulygina V.

doi:10.14529/jpps260105

U. A. Kuznetsova Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (23 Kropotkinsky Lane, Moscow, 119034, Russia) https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6833-6514 turir76@gmail.com
A. A. Dubinsky Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (23 Kropotkinsky Lane, Moscow, 119034, Russia) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6091-3299 aleksandr-dubinskij@yandex.ru
V. G. Bulygina 1) Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (23 Kropotkinsky Lane, Moscow, 119034, Russia); 2) Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (29 Sretenka str., Moscow, 107045, Russia) https://orcid. org/0000-0001-5584-125 ver210@yandex.ru

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14529/jpps260105

Keywords: neurocognitive functions, cognitive functioning, affective disorders, depressive disorders, gender characteristics, educational level

Abstract

Introduction: Depressive and affective disorders significantly affect patients’ quality of life and social adaptation. Furthermore, they are predicted to become the leading cause of disability by 2030. The identified cognitive impairments underscore the importance of studying cognitive functioning while taking into account disease nosology and sociodemographic factors to develop individualized rehabilitation programs. Aim. The aim of this study is to investigate cognitive functioning in individuals with affective and depressive disorders with regard to gender and educational level. Materials and methods. The study included 27 patients with mental disorders: 15 with depressive disorders (53.3% women and 46.7% men; 66.67% with higher education and 33.33% without) and 12 with affective disorders (75% women and 25% men; 66.67% with higher education and 33.33% without). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and a free association technique. Results. Significant differences in cognitive functioning were identified in patients with affective and depressive disorders based on gender and educational level. Male patients with affective disorders exhibited signs of frontal lobe and frontal-subcortical circuit dysfunction, whereas women demonstrated higher verbal fluency and better performance on attention tests. Among patients with depressive disorders, women outperformed men in visual-constructional skills and were more successful at tasks requiring attention distribution and switching. Furthermore, within the depressive disorder group, the presence of a higher education was associated with more pronounced cognitive decline. Finally, free association analysis in individuals with affective disorders revealed verbal inertia, manifested as slowed mental processes. Conclusion. The study results underscore the necessity of incorporating disease nosology, gender, and educational level into the cognitive assessment of patients with affective and depressive disorders to provide individualized neurocognitive evaluation and rehabilitation.

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Author Biographies

U. A. Kuznetsova , Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (23 Kropotkinsky Lane, Moscow, 119034, Russia)

Specialist, Applied Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Psychoprevention

A. A. Dubinsky , Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (23 Kropotkinsky Lane, Moscow, 119034, Russia)

Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Senior Researcher, Branch of Health-Saving Technologies, Department of Psychoprevention

V. G. Bulygina , 1) Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (23 Kropotkinsky Lane, Moscow, 119034, Russia); 2) Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (29 Sretenka str., Moscow, 107045, Russia)

1) Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Head of the Department of Psychoprevention; 2) Professor, Department of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Faculty of Legal Psychology

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