Abstract
A number of studies have reported the evidence of cognitive deficits in adult bipolar patients. Recently, there has been a
shift in research on neurocognitive performance in bipolar disorder (BD) towards examining younger age groups. A review of
the literature on neurocognitive impairments in BD in childhood and adolescence was conducted. We searched systematically
for studies in samples of age groups younger than 18 years of age in average that included either a healthy control group
or normative data for the cognitive tests used. Twenty-one original articles were found and reviewed. Children and adolescents
with BD show deficits in a variety of cognitive areas. The most consistent results were found for impairments in verbal memory.
A majority of studies also indicated impairments in working memory. Similar pattern of neurocognitive impairment was found
in children and adolescents as compared to adults suffering from BD. The neurocognitive deficits need to be recognized and
incorporated into individual treatment programs.
shift in research on neurocognitive performance in bipolar disorder (BD) towards examining younger age groups. A review of
the literature on neurocognitive impairments in BD in childhood and adolescence was conducted. We searched systematically
for studies in samples of age groups younger than 18 years of age in average that included either a healthy control group
or normative data for the cognitive tests used. Twenty-one original articles were found and reviewed. Children and adolescents
with BD show deficits in a variety of cognitive areas. The most consistent results were found for impairments in verbal memory.
A majority of studies also indicated impairments in working memory. Similar pattern of neurocognitive impairment was found
in children and adolescents as compared to adults suffering from BD. The neurocognitive deficits need to be recognized and
incorporated into individual treatment programs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-011-0209-x
- Authors
- Karin Horn, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Dresden, Germany, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Veit Roessner, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Dresden, Germany, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Martin Holtmann, LWL-University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827