Alteración funcional de los Lóbulos Frontales en pacientes con Trastorno Depresivo Mayor.

The functioning of the frontal lobes is related to executive functions, which are human high order mental functions. These functions are altered in major depressive disorder (MDD) and may alter the daily living activities of patients. We conducted a neuropsychological testing of frontal lobes with a group of pharmacological treated outpatients with MDD diagnosis and without drug treatment (n = 14) and contrasted with a control group (n=7). The results indicate that patients with clinical pharmacology treatment show a better performance in executive functions neuropsychological tests. Specially in metamemory, planning, working memory, inhibitory control and follow-up instructions, as well as attentional control and memory. However, this clinical pharmacology treated patients still have difficulty on planning, remembering, and manipulating information needed in daily living activities. This suggests that clinical pharmacological treatment may partially improve executive functioning of patients with MDD. However, patients still experience difficulties in daily living activities. As conclusion, it may be important the inclusion of neuropsychological or cognitive therapies, involving executive functions therapy to come along with clinical pharmacology therapy for MDD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]