Neuropsychological dysfunction, soft neurological signs and social disability in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.
BACKGROUND
Neurocognitive deficits exist in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder, but relationships between symptoms, psychosocial and neurological factors remain uncertain.


OBJECTIVE
To measure neurocognitive function in bipolar disorder and explore links to sub-syndromal mood symptoms, soft neurological signs and psychosocial impairment.


METHODS
Attention, memory and executive function were tested in 37 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 37 controls. Psychosocial functioning, soft neurological signs and residual mood symptoms were assessed.


RESULTS
Performances on tests reflecting executive function and verbal memory (but not attention) were significantly poorer in the bipolar disorder group. Sub-syndromal mood symptoms produced small cognitive effects, predominantly on verbal memory. Soft neurological signs, especially frontal signs, were marked; some patients showed marked social disability which correlated strongly with soft neurological signs but weakly with executive dysfunction, which was linked to illness episodes.


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive dysfunction, social dysfunction and soft signs occur in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and may represent trait deficits.
Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India.
Utpal
U
Goswami
Aditya
A
Sharma
Udayan
U
Khastigir
Ian Nicol
IN
Ferrier
Allan H
AH
Young
Peter
P
Gallagher
Jill M
JM
Thompson
P Brian
PB
Moore
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*