Neural correlates of attentional switching dysfunction in major depressive disorder: Evidence from an event-related potential study with a dual-task paradigm

BACKGROUND Research has consistently demonstrated that patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit attentional switching dysfunction, and the dual-task paradigm has emerged as a valuable tool for probing cognitive deficits. However, the neuroelectrophysiological mechanism underlying this deficit has not been clarified. AIM To investigate the event-related potential (ERP) characteristics of attentional switching dysfunction and further explore the neuroelectrophysiological mechanism of the cognitive processing deficits underlying attentional switching dysfunction in MDD. METHODS The participants included 29 MDD patients and 29 healthy controls (HCs). The ERPs of the participants were measured while they performed the dual-task paradigm. The behavioral and ERP N100, P200, P300, and late positive potential (LPP) data were analyzed. RESULTS This study revealed greater accuracy in HCs and slower reaction times (RTs) in MDD patients. Angry facial pictures led to lower accuracy. The results also revealed shorter RTs for happy facial pictures and the longest RTs for the 500-ms stimulus onset asynchrony. With respect to ERP characteristics, happy facial pictures and neutral facial pictures evoked higher amplitudes. The N100, P200, P300, and LPP amplitudes at Pz were the highest. MDD patients had lower P200 mean amplitudes and LPP amplitudes than HCs did. CONCLUSION In conclusion, MDD patients exhibited abnormal ERP characteristics evoked by the dual-task paradigm, which could be the neural correlates of the known abnormalities in attentional switching in patients with MDD. These results provide valuable insights into the understanding of the neural mechanisms of attentional switching function and may guide targeted interventions in patients with MDD.