title: Neurocognitive and neuroimaging predictors of clinical outcome in bipolar disorder.
abstract: Historically, bipolar disorder has been conceptualized as a disease involving episodic rather than chronic dysfunction. However, increasing evidence indicates that bipolar disorder is associated with substantial inter-episode psychosocial and vocational impairment. Here we review the contributions of neurocognitive deficits and structural and functional neuroanatomic alterations to the observed functional impairments. In particular, compelling evidence now suggests that neurocognitive impairments, particularly in the areas of attention, processing speed, and memory, are associated with functional outcome. Although investigation of the neural correlates of functional disability in bipolar disorder is only in its nascent stages, preliminary evidence suggests that white matter abnormalities may be predictive of poor outcome. A better understanding of the relationship between neurocognitive and neuroimaging assays and functional outcome has the potential to improve current treatment options and provide targets for new treatment strategies in bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. cbearden@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Carrie E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bearden
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woogen
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Glahn
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome