Martino DJ, et al. – The experts wished to estimate the association between clinical course and trajectory of neurocognitive functioning during a follow–up period in a sample of euthymic bipolar patients. Despite the fact that there might be a positive correlation between number of episodes and neurocognitive deficits in patients with bipolar disorder, successive episodes don't appear to modify the trajectory of neurocognitive functioning over time.

Methods

• This study was conducted on 51 patients with BD who performed two-neurocognitive assessment separated by a period of at least 48 months.
• The clinical course during the follow-up period was documented by: 3 measures
  • Number of affective episodes,
  • Time spent ill,
  • Mood instability.

Results

• The results of this study showed that patients were followed-up for a mean period of 73.21 months.
• The findings suggested that neurocognitive performance tended to be stable throughout the follow-up.
• It was noted that performance in verbal memory and executive functions toward the finish of study were connected with the number of hypo/manic episodes and time spent with hypo/manic symptoms during the follow-up.
• According to the findings obtained, none of the clinical measures considered were associated with changes in neurocognitive performance over the follow-up period.