Journal of Applied Psychological Research
Neuropsychological Factors in Brain Abnormalities of Patients with Major Depression Disorder with Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review Study
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review of the current evidence regarding neuropsychological factors that are linked to brain abnormalities in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) combined with anxiety symptoms. The researchers conducted a systematic review of all selected articles from January 2000 to April 2024, utilizing specific keywords in international databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopusthrough a systematic review. Using the PRISMA framework, 692 English articles were evaluated based on quality assessments and inclusion criteria. Following a final qualitative evaluation, 26 articles were selected and analyzed to address the research questions. The findings revealed that MDD, anxiety, and cognitive-executive dysfunctions are extensively interconnected and highly prevalent in a variety of populations. Cognitive deficits, such as impaired executive functioning, processing speed, and working memory, continue to exist during stable phases of the disorders. Novel treatments, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation, have demonstrated beneficial outcomes in terms of cognitive performance and the reduction of depressive symptoms. The comorbidity of anxiety and MDD exacerbates symptom severity and cognitive deficits, showing a significant association with structural and functional changes in critical brain regions such as the amygdala and hippocampus. This research emphasized the significance of targeted interventions, such as brain stimulation, to alleviate symptoms and enhance cognitive functions, even in comorbid conditions, as MDD with anxiety is strongly associated with neuropsychological impairments and structural abnormalities in the brain.
Keywords
افضلی، ل.، حسینیان، س.، و نقش، ز. (1402). شناسایی مؤلفههای بافتی در مدرسۀ تابآور: مروری نظاممند. فصلنامه پژوهشهای کاربردی روانشناختی، 14(1)، 15-30. https://doi.org/10.22059/japr.2023.343533.644275
باقری شیخانگفشه، ف.، و فتحی آشتیانی، ع. (1401). پیامدهای روانی-اجتماعی دوران پساکرونا ویروس 2019 (کووید-19): مطالعة مروری نظاممند. فصلنامه پژوهشهای کاربردی روانشناختی، 13(3)، 53-72. https://doi.org/10.22059/japr.2022.328657.643939
جباری، م.، افروز، غ.، هاشمیان، ک.، پورحسین، ر.، و اکبری زردخانه، س. (1401). مروری بر تکنیکهای طرحوارهدرمانی گروهی. فصلنامه پژوهشهای کاربردی روانشناختی، 13(2)، 17-31. https://doi.org/10.22059/japr.2022.331107.644064
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Volume 17, Issue 1
February 2026Pages 17-32
- Receive Date: 26 January 2025
- Revise Date: 15 March 2025
- Accept Date: 14 April 2025
- First Publish Date: 25 January 2026
- Publish Date: 21 March 2026