Attention deficits in bipolar disorder: a comparison based on the Continuous Performance Test.
Although attentional deficits measured by Continuous Performance Tests (CPTs) have been observed in patients with bipolar disorder, their relationship with clinical state is not well understood. The identical pairs Continuous Performance Test (CPT-IP) shows particular promise as a measure sensitive to trait abnormalities in attentional function. In this study, the CPT-IP was administered to 27 patients with bipolar disorder (22 type I, 5 type II) and 25 demographically matched healthy comparison subjects, in order to assess the presence and nature of attentional deficits as a function of mood symptoms. Results showed significantly impaired CPT performance in bipolar patients compared with healthy subjects. Patients made fewer hits (p < 0.01), were slower to respond (p < 0.007), and had poorer discrimination (p < 0.05) and bias (p < 0.006) than comparison subjects. Severity of mania and depression was not correlated with any of the CPT measures. Our findings suggest that attentional dysfunction may be a trait deficit associated with bipolar illness. However, within-subjects longitudinal studies examining fluctuations in performance over time are needed.
Najt
Pablo
P
South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Glahn
David
D
Bearden
Carrie E
CE
Hatch
John P
JP
Monkul
E Serap
ES
Kaur
Simerjit
S
Villarreal
Veronica
V
Bowden
Charles
C
Soares
Jair C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology