Neurophysiology of executive cognitive functions under depression

Ruiz-Marquez, Eloísa · 2025 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.37349/en.2025.100696

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Summary

This review paper addresses the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying executive cognitive deficits in depression, a condition where such impairments significantly hinder remission and increase recurrence risk. While depression is widely recognized for behavioral and emotional symptoms, its cognitive consequences—particularly in executive functions (EFs) like planning, inhibition, and mental flexibility—are often underexplored in clinical settings. The study aims to synthesize existing literature on how specific brain event-related potentials (ERPs) correlate with these executive deficits, providing a neuroscientific basis for understanding the neural substrates of depression-related cognitive dysfunction. The authors conducted a systematic literature search across PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and PsyArxiv, focusing on studies utilizing electrophysiological techniques. These non-invasive tools offer high temporal resolution, allowing for the precise assessment of brain activity associated with cognitive tasks. The review specifically examines ERP components linked to executive processes, including P300, N100, mismatch negativity (MMN), and error-related potentials such as error-related negativity (ERN), error positivity (Pe), and correct response negativity (CRN). The findings reveal consistent alterations in several ERP components among individuals with depression. P300 amplitudes are generally diminished and latencies prolonged, indicating deficits in attentional resource allocation, working memory, and decision-making. Similarly, MMN shows reduced amplitudes and delayed latencies, reflecting impaired automatic change detection and difficulties in mental shifting. Auditory N1 latencies are increased, and loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) often shows increased amplitudes, suggesting inhibitory control deficits potentially linked to low serotonin function. Regarding feedback processing, results are more heterogeneous: ERN amplitudes vary between enhanced and reduced states, while Pe amplitudes are typically smaller, pointing to difficulties in conscious error awareness and emotional indifference to mistakes. These neural alterations are associated with fronto-striatal network dysfunctions, leading to both perseverative and non-perseverative errors. The significance of this review lies in its comprehensive mapping of the neurophysiological markers of executive dysfunction in depression. By linking specific ERP abnormalities to cognitive failures, the paper highlights the complex interplay between attention, memory, and error monitoring in depressive states. The authors conclude that while ERP techniques provide valuable insights into the neural mechanisms of depression, further research is needed to resolve contradictions arising from depression heterogeneity and methodological variations. Understanding these neurocognitive mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions that address the persistent cognitive deficits affecting daily functioning and recovery in depressed individuals.

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• executive function