Factors that can influence neurocognitive performance: a case study in a controlled environment

ABSTRACT

This is a case study of a patient in her 50s who presents with severe malnutrition, alcohol dependence, and untreated Bipolar Affective Disorder. She was hospitalized multiple times and placed in a group home 1 year after symptom onset. Cognitive and functional improvements are observed over a 6-year period, as demonstrated by 3 comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. Residing in a monitored and structured environment for 6 years, with stability in psychiatric medications, monitored nutrition and abstinence from alcohol are attributed to this improvement. This study provides unique evidence of the impact of balanced nutrition and improvements in psychiatric symptoms on cognition.

KEYWORDS:

• Nutrition
• cognitive functioning
• adult
• neuropsychology
• bipolar

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author (KK). The data are not publicly available due to concerns about the privacy for the patient in this single case study.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.