Cognitive neuropsychological theory: Reconciliation of psychological and biological approaches for depression

• Published in: Pharmacology & therapeutics (Oxford) Vol. 197; pp. 38 - 51
• Main Author: Godlewska, Beata R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01-05-2019
• Subjects: Animals; Antidepressant response; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Cognition; Cognitive neuropsychological model; Depression - therapy; Emotional processing; Humans; Models, Psychological; Negative bias; (pg)ACC; NRI; SSRIs; Negative bias; (f)MRI; Emotional processing; mPFC; CBT; SNRI; Antidepressant response; tDCS; dlPFC; ECT; 5-HT1A; Cognitive neuropsychological model; TMS
• ISSN: 0163-7258; 1879-016X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.12.010

New antidepressants and individualized approaches to treatment, matching specific therapies to individual patients, are urgently needed. For this, a better understanding of processes underpinning the development of depressive symptoms and response to medications are required. The cognitive neuropsychological model offers a novel approach uniquely combining biological and psychological approaches to explain how antidepressants exert their effect, why there is a delay in the onset of their clinical effect, and how changes in emotional processing are an essential step for a clinical antidepressant effect to take place. The paper presents the model and its underpinnings in the form of research in both healthy and depressed individuals, as well as the potential for its practical use.