Neuropsychological Functioning in Euthymic Phase of Bipolar Affective Disorder.

BACKGROUND

A substantial proportion of euthymic bipolar disorder patients have neuropsychological impairment which can have a significant impact on the overall functional recovery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 60 bipolar disorder patients, currently in euthymic phase for the last 3 months with minimum duration of illness 2 years and current Young Mania Rating Scale <7 and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale <6, currently on medications were administrated various neuropsychological tests.

RESULTS

Approximately half of the patients have neuropsychological impairments in the areas of mental speed, sustained attention, verbal fluency, working memory, set shifting, verbal and visual memory, and visual-constructional ability.

CONCLUSION

Findings of the current study provides evidence of neuropsychological impairment in euthymic bipolar disorder patients, and type of medications also has an impact on neuropsychological functions.