Neuropsychological Functioning in Euthymic Phase of Bipolar Affective Disorder

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of euthymic bipolar disorder patients have neuropsychological impairment which can have a significant impact on the overall functional recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 bipolar disorder patients, currently in euthymic phase for the last 3 months with minimum duration of illness 2 years and current Young Mania Rating Scale <7 and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale <6, currently on medications were administrated various neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: Approximately half of the patients have neuropsychological impairments in the areas of mental speed, sustained attention, verbal fluency, working memory, set shifting, verbal and visual memory, and visual-constructional ability. CONCLUSION: Findings of the current study provides evidence of neuropsychological impairment in euthymic bipolar disorder patients, and type of medications also has an impact on neuropsychological functions.