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. 2009 Aug;18(3):221-30.

Neurocognition in bipolar disorder and juvenile bipolar disorder

Catherine M Cahill  1 , Garry Walter, Gin S Malhi
Affiliations

Neurocognition in bipolar disorder and juvenile bipolar disorder

Catherine M Cahill et al. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Aug.

Abstract
in English, French

Introduction: In the ongoing quest for improved diagnostic markers of bipolar illness, the focus of research has gradually shifted to examining the onset of mood difficulties early in life and investigating the potential corollaries of such early onset such as cognitive impairment, disruption of social and emotional functioning, and constriction of quality of life. This article considers the disruptions to cognitive functioning that accompany bipolar disorder and compares adult and child profiles to ascertain the likelihood of identifying a neurocognitive biomarker of the illness.

Methods: A succinct review of the literature pertaining to cognition in both adult and childhood populations is synthesised following Medline and PsychINFO searches using key-terms including 'cognition', 'bipolar disorder', 'neurocognitive' 'child', 'adolescent' and a range of neuropsychological domain names. In addition, literature known to the authors was scrutinised and relevant references further pursued.

Results: Findings from the literature are contextualised and key findings are summarised and provide a basis for future recommendations.

Conclusion: A number of deficits have been consistently identified in both adolescent and adult populations that perhaps reflect disease traits. Future research needs to focus on these and employ multimodal tests in pristine patient groups, with a view to identifying reliable biomarkers.

Introduction:: Le désir constant d’améliorer les marqueurs diagnostiques du trouble bipolaire a conduit les chercheurs à orienter leurs travaux vers la manifestation des troubles de l’humeur dans les premières années de la vie et à étudier les corollaires potentiels comme les déficiences cognitives; la perturbation du fonctionnement social et émotionnel; la détérioration de la qualité de vie. Cet article analyse les perturbations de la cognition qui accompagnent le trouble bipolaire; il compare le profil des adultes à celui des enfants et des adolescents pour tenter d’identifier un marqueur neurocognitif de la maladie.

Méthodologie:: Les auteurs ont procédé à une analyse succincte et à une synthèse de la littérature sur la cognition chez les adultes et les enfants. Ils ont interrogé les bases de données Medline et PsychINFO à partir des mots-clés suivants: cognition, trouble bipolaire, neurocognitif, enfant, adolescent, et de mots du domaine de la neuropsychologie; ils ont aussi analysé les articles avec lesquels ils étaient familiers et relevé les références pertinentes.

Résultats:: Les auteurs contextualisent les conclusions tirées de la littérature, résument les principaux résultats et jettent les bases des recommandations futures.

Conclusion:: Les adolescents et les adultes présentent des déficits permanents qui reflètent peut-être des traits de la maladie. Les chercheurs devront se concentrer sur ces points et effectuer des tests multimodaux sur des patients jamais diagnostiqués afin d’obtenir des marqueurs biologiques fiables.

Keywords: bipolar disorder; juveniles; neurocognition.

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