title: Clinical and treatment-related predictors of cognition in bipolar disorder: focus on visual paired associative learning.
abstract: Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairment in cognitive domains such as verbal memory and executive functions. However, visual paired associative learning (PAL) has been far less researched. Neurocognitive dysfunction in BD patients has been related to several clinical factors, but data on the effect of medication are relatively scarce and inconsistent. The aim of our study was to explore the effect of clinical and treatment-related parameters on executive functions and visual memory/learning, including PAL, in BD. Cognitive performance of 60 bipolar I patients and 30 healthy subjects was evaluated by using CANTAB battery tasks targeting spatial recognition memory, PAL and executive functions (set shifting, planning, inhibitory control). Bipolar patients showed poorer performance in PAL, set shifting, planning and inhibitory control than healthy subjects; however, only differences in PAL and planning survived correction for multiple comparisons. Number of previous manic episodes and illness duration predicted worse performance in set shifting and PAL, respectively, whereas current treatment with valproate predicted better performance in PAL. This is one of the first studies to assess clinical and treatment-related predictors of PAL in BD. We report a possibly beneficial effect of valproate on PAL, which warrants further investigation.
authors: 2nd Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Rimini 1, 12462, Athens, Greece. ktournikioti@yahoo.gr.
authors: Kalliopi
authors: K
authors: Tournikioti
authors: 2nd Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Rimini 1, 12462, Athens, Greece.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Ferentinos
authors: 2nd Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Rimini 1, 12462, Athens, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Michopoulos
authors: Endocrine Unit, Department of Medical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Alevizaki
authors: Mental Health Care Unit, Evgenidion Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Constantin R
authors: CR
authors: Soldatos
authors: 1st Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Dikeos
authors: 2nd Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Rimini 1, 12462, Athens, Greece.
authors: Athanasios
authors: A
authors: Douzenis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014635:Valproic Acid
keywords: Bipolar disorder; Neurocognitive functioning; Valproate; Visual paired associative learning