Case–control study of neurocognitive function in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder: An association with mania

Abstract

BackgroundNeurocognitive impairments in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder may represent trait rather than state variables.AimsTo test the hypothesis that euthymic patients with bipolar disorder would exhibit impairment in verbal learning and memory and executive function compared with healthy controls matched for age, gender and premorbid IQ.MethodTwenty euthymic patients with bipolar disorder were matched, on a case-by-case basis, to twenty healthy community controls. Cases and controls were tested with a battery of neuropsychological tests.ResultsImpairments were found in cases compared with controls in tests of verbal learning and memory. Verbal learning and memory correlated negatively with the number of manic episodes.ConclusionsImpaired verbal learning and memory may be a trait variable in bipolar disease. There are implications for adherence to medication and relapse and for the role of early treatment interventions. Prospective designs and targeting first-episode groups may help to differentiate traitv.disease process effects.