title: Neurocognitive impairments among youth with pediatric bipolar disorder: a systematic review of neuropsychological research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) has emerged as a field of research in which neuropsychological studies are continuously providing new empirical findings. Despite this, a comprehensive framework for neurocognitive impairments is still lacking, and most of the evidence remains unconnected. We addressed this question through a systematic review of neuropsychological research, with the aim of elucidating the main issues concerning this topic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of databases (PubMed, PsycINFO) was performed. Published manuscripts between 1990 and January 2014 were identified. Overall, 124 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. Methodological differences between studies required a descriptive review of findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence indicates that verbal/visual-spatial memory, processing speed, working memory, and social cognition are neurocognitive domains impaired in PBD youth. Furthermore, these deficits are greater among those who suffer acute affective symptoms, PBD type I, and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidity. In addition, several neurocognitive deficits imply certain changes in prefrontal cortex activity and are somewhat associated with psychosocial and academic disabilities. Strikingly, these deficits are consistently similar to those encountered in ADHD as well as severe mood dysregulation (SMD). Besides, some neurocognitive impairments appear before the onset of the illness and tend to maintain stable across adolescence. Finally, any therapy has not yet demonstrated to be effective on diminishing these neurocognitive impairments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More prolonged follow-up studies aimed at delineating the course of treatment and the response to it are warranted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite noteworthy research on the neurocognitive profile of PBD, our knowledge is still lagging behind evidence from adult counterparts.
authors.affiliation: FPCEE Blanquerna, University of Ramon-Llull, Císter street 34, Barcelona 08022, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital of Mataró, Cirera street s/n, Mataró 08304, Spain. Electronic address: afrias@csdm.cat.
authors.forename: Álvaro
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Frías
authors.affiliation: FPCEE Blanquerna, University of Ramon-Llull, Císter street 34, Barcelona 08022, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital of Mataró, Cirera street s/n, Mataró 08304, Spain.
authors.forename: Cárol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.affiliation: FPCEE Blanquerna, University of Ramon-Llull, Císter street 34, Barcelona 08022, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital of Mataró, Cirera street s/n, Mataró 08304, Spain.
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Farriols
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: Neurocognitive impairments; Pediatric bipolar disorder; neuropsychological research