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Neuropsychological function in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

I. N. Ferrier ,
Biba R. Stanton ,
T. P. Kelly  and
Jan Scott
I. N. Ferrier*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
Biba R. Stanton
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
T. P. Kelly
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
Jan Scott
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
*
Professor I. N. Ferrier, School of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Division of Psychiatry, The Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NEI 4LP
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Abstract

Background

The assumption that patients with bipolar disorder make a full inter-episode recovery has been challenged by limited evidence that suggests that neuropsychological dysfunction in bipolar disorder may persist beyond episodes of illness.

Aims

To test the hypothesis that patients with euthymic bipolar disorder show neuropsychological impairment.

Method

A battery of neuropsychological tests (assessed attention, working memory, learning and executive function) was administered to three matched groups of subjects: good-outcome patients with bipolar disorder (n=21); poor-outcome patients with bipolar disorder (n=20); controls (n=20). All patients were clinically euthymic, although some had low levels of depressive symptoms.

Results

Patients performed worse than controls on a number of neuropsychological tests. When age, premorbid IQ and depressive symptoms were controlled for, the results indicated impairment of executive function.

Conclusions

These findings provide good evidence for the existence of neuropsychological impairment in patients with euthymic bipolar disorder, although the possible effect of medication should not be overlooked. This may be of clinical relevance and raises questions about the course and outcome of the illness.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 3 , September 1999 , pp. 246 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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