Executive function deficits in patients with the first episode of late‐life depression before and after SSRI treatment: A pilot fMRI study

Background Executive function deficits (EFD) in late‐life depression (LLD) has been reported to be associated with antidepressant treatment resistance, increased disability, and poor quality of life. However, the underlying neutral mechanisms of EFD in patients with the first episode of LLD remains unclear. Methods A total of 27 patients with first‐episode, drug‐naive LLD and 27 non‐depressed controls (NC) were recruited for the present research. Participants underwent the Trail Making Test, the 17‐item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD‐17) test, and task‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans under the neutral Stroop task. LLD patients' executive functions, depressive symptoms, and brain activity were examined again after 6 months of antidepressant treatment. Results Of the 27 LLD patients, 16 cases completed 6‐month follow‐ups. Patients in the LLD baseline group spent more time on the Trail Making Test A test than those in the NC group (p