Neuropsychological impairment in bipolar affective disorder

BACKGROUND: Recent neurocognitive investigations during the euthymic phase of bipolar affective disorder have shown persistent cognitive deficits in 32% of patients. There is limited evidence in the Indian literature in this area. AIM: To study the neuropsychological functions in patients with bipolar affective disorder in remission. METHODS: Thirty patients with bipolar disorder in remission were compared with 30 normal subjects on tests of attention, learning, memory and executive functions. Neuropsychological measures of the two groups were compared using the chi-square and Student t tests. This study was conducted in the outpatient department of the Schizophrenia Research Foundation. RESULT: Patients with bipolar disorder, in remission, have neuropsychological impairment in attention, memory and executive functioning. CONCLUSION: Cognitive dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder in remission can contribute to social and occupational difficulties, reduced insight, increased risk of non-adherence and relapse.