The neural mechanisms of cognitive impairments in depression are still poorly understood. In addition, the high prevalence of depression in women with children demands further investigation. This study examined mothers' event related potentials (ERPs) during a go/no-go error-monitoring task on the computer. EEG was recorded from 19 mothers of children who were participating in a treatment program for conduct problems, both before and after treatment. Two particular ERPs, the error-related negativity (ERN) and the error-positivity (Pe), were measured during differing emotional conditions. As predicted, mothers' depression scores decreased significantly following their children's treatment. It was found that, at first testing, those with greater depression symptoms had smaller ERN amplitudes, but greater Pe amplitudes. As well, there was a significant decrease in the Pe amplitudes following treatment. These results are interpreted both in terms of the depressed mothers' emotional over-activity and their cognitive disengagement.
展开▼
