Preliminary data describing cognitive compromise in adolescents with bipolar disorder

Objectives: There is a growing interest in the area of child and adolescent bipolar disorder. Researchers and clinicians are not agreed on whether the phenomenology of the disorder in younger populations is the same as in the adult version of the disorder. In order to better describe the presentation of the disorder in young people, more specific and sensitive neuropsychological testing is required. Also, we want to correlate this with functional outcome in terms of social reasoning and decision making. Method: An adolescent sample of patients with bipolar disorder was recruited and completed a neuropsychological battery designed to assess general neuropsychological performance as well as more sensitive aspects of social cognition. Results: Neuropsychological deficits in adults with bipolar disorder include difficulties with selective attention, sustained attention and executive functioning, these are also reflected in adolescents with bipolar disorder. The findings are discussed in light of difficulties with diagnostic specificity, comorbidity, heritability and cut-offs for age and disorder. Conclusions: Preliminary findings in studies of young people with bipolar disorder suggest they experience similar neuropsychological symptoms to those found in adults. Suggestions for future research directions will be discussed.