Cognitive impairment in major depression and the mGlu2 receptor as a therapeutic target

► Substantial cognitive deficits are present in some patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) ► Cognitive deficits cannot be accounted for as a simple epiphenomenon of the depressive state. ► Abnormal connectivity, cellular and synaptic abnormalities likely involved in cognitive deficits in MDD ► Metabotropic glutamate receptor type 2 exert precognitive and antidepressant effects in preclinical assays. ► They may offer a novel therapeutic approach addressing not only the mood symptoms, but also the cognitive deficits associated with MDD.