Longitudinal cognitive performance in patients with Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Commentary: Neurocognitive impairments are a rather common occurrence in euthymic Bipolar Disorder (BD) patients. Understanding the degree of longitudinal stability of these deficits is vital in the management and treatment planning of this population of patients. Szmulewicz and colleagues1 have recently conducted the first systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that reported on the longitudinal neurocognitive performance in either recent‐onset or late‐life BD patients. An analysis of eight studies (284 patients) of patients with recent‐onset BD and four studies (153 patients) of individuals with late‐life BD did not demonstrate evidence in support for a decline in longitudinal neurocognitive performance in any of these patient cohorts. The authors state that this is in line with previous analyses displaying a lack of deterioration in the longitudinal neuropsychological performance of BD individuals, and further asserting the stability in neurocognitive functioning during follow‐up assessments. Furthermore, these findings do not support the theory of neuroprogression and staging models proposed for BD, which suggest a progression from no cognitive impairments in recent‐onset BD to severe cognitive impairments