title: Neurocognitive impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar affective disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent impairments in neurocognitive function have been described in patients with bipolar disorder whose disease is in remission. However, methodological issues such as the effect of residual mood symptoms and hypercortisolaemia may confound such studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess neurocognitive functioning in prospectively verified euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three patients with bipolar disorder and a matched control group completed a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery. Euthymia was confirmed in the patient group by prospective clinical ratings over 1 month prior to testing. Saliva samples were collected to profile basal cortisol secretion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were significantly impaired across a broad range of cognitive domains. Across the domains tested, clinically significant impairment was observed in 3% to 42% of patients. Deficits were not causally associated with residual mood symptoms or hypercortisolaemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurocognitive impairment persists in patients whose bipolar disorder is in remission. This may represent a trait abnormality and be a marker of underlying neurobiological dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Stanley Research Centre, School of Neurology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Leazes Wing, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: I Nicol
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Ferrier
authors.forename: Allan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001288:Attention; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone