Cognitive Impairment in Bipolar Affective Disorder

Abstract

Cognitive changes in bipolar disorder (BD) have been actively studied for the last decades. This article provides an overview of evidenceQbased research of cognitive impairment in BD, contains
analysis ofits’ variability which depends on the stage and severity of the disorder. Various medication effects, primarily mood stabilizers were analyzed; the possible causes of cognitive deficit
were examined. Impairment of executive functions, attention and longQterm memory could be traced throughout all the phases, including both acute episodes of mania or depression and
periods of euthymia. These features may indicate special, genetically determined, neurocognitive endophenotype for BD