Neuropsychological function in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder

Background The assumption that patients with bipolar disorder make a full i nter-episode recovery has been challenged by limited evidence that suggests that neuropsychological dysfunction in bipolar disorder may persist beyond episodes of illness. Aims To test the hypothesis that patients with euthymic bipolar disorder sh ow neuropsychological impairment. Method A battery of neuropsychological tests (assessed attention, working m emory, learning and executive function) was administered to three matched g roups of subjects: good-outcome patients with bipolar disorder (n=21); poor -outcome patients with bipolar disorder (n=20); controls (n=20). All patien ts were clinically euthymic, although some had low levels of depressive sym ptoms. Results Patients performed worse than controls on a number of neuropsycholo gical tests. When age, premorbid IQ and depressive symptoms were controlled for, the results indicated impairment of executive function. Conclusions These findings provide good evidence for the existence of neuro psychological impairment in patients with euthymic bipolar disorder, althou gh the possible effect of medication should not be overlooked. This may be of clinical relevance and raises questions about the course and outcome of the illness. Declaration of interest None.