Cognitive Impairment in Bipolar Disorder: An Overview

Abstract

Research on cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder (BD) has prompted significant insights about the illness. New studies challenge previous notions about the episodic nature of BD, and account for psychosocial disability unrelated to mood disturbance. This article provides a conceptual overview of the growing body of research on cognitive dysfunction in BD. We discuss the evidence in light of the complexity inherent in the connection between cognitive deficits and neurological abnormalities in BD. This article also addresses issues related to etiology, advancing an integration of neurological, clinical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors into a model that elucidates how these factors interact to negatively impact persons with BD with a more severe course of illness. Lastly, this article discusses implications for patient care and future considerations.

Keywords:

• bipolar disorder
• cognitive impairment
• psychosocial disability
• treatment