Abstract: Depression is a group of common mental disorders with unknown causes and complex symptoms. In recent years, with the increase of social pressure and the acceleration of the pace of life, the incidence rate of depression has been increased year by year. Adolescents are a high-risk population for depression due to immature psychological development, captivating widespread attention from all walks of life. They are also the key population for subsequent depression research. Cognitive impairment is one of the core characteristics of depression, which is related to the incidence, development, treatment and prognosis of depression. In this article, research progress on the epidemiology of adolescent depression, characteristics of cognitive impairment, influencing factors and other aspects was reviewed, aiming to provide references for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of adolescent depression.