Neuropsychological impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD). Deficits in attention, memory and executive functions are not consequent to psychopathology, because they are often detectable also in unaffected relatives of probands. Also impairments in concept formation and reasoning are common features in patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Different domains of social functioning are involved in cognition and maintenance of social roles (vocational role) may need an adequate functioning in executive performances. In this study, performed in BD patients, we pursued the existence of a correlation between cognitive ability and functional capacity in a specific domain: maintenance of social roles. Fifty-one consecutive euthimic BD patients (age 20-60) were assessed in this study. Patient’s clinical symptoms were evaluated with Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL -90R), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17).All partecipants completed a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological subtests for memory, executive functions and attention, using Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT ), Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT ), Digit Span Test (DST ), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST ), Verbal Fluency (FPL), Stroop Test, Visual Search, Trail Making Test (TMT). Life Skills Profile (LS P), Disability Scale (DISS ) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-II (WHODAS -II) were used to evaluate psychosocial functioning and social roles. Results showed that euthimic BD patients of our group, displayed many impairments across several domains of neurocognition and social functioning. Significant associations were observed between executive functions and loss of social roles (occupational functioning) in euthimic bipolar patients. These results show that in BD patients, specific cognitive functions are associated with functional outcome. The assessment of these measures may therefore represent an important step in studies on psychosocial outcomes. This study contributed to identify some specific targets for treatment or remediation in BD.
Can Executive Dysfunction Explains Loss of Social Roles? A focus on Bipolar Disorder / Bernabei, Laura; Delle Chiaie, Roberto; Pancheri, Corinna; Biondi, Massimo. - STAMPA. - (2013), pp. 157-157. (Intervento presentato al convegno Pursuing wellness across the lifespan tenutosi a San Francisco nel 18-22 Maggio 2013).
Can Executive Dysfunction Explains Loss of Social Roles? A focus on Bipolar Disorder
BERNABEI, LAURA;Biondi Massimo
2013
Abstract
Neuropsychological impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD). Deficits in attention, memory and executive functions are not consequent to psychopathology, because they are often detectable also in unaffected relatives of probands. Also impairments in concept formation and reasoning are common features in patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Different domains of social functioning are involved in cognition and maintenance of social roles (vocational role) may need an adequate functioning in executive performances. In this study, performed in BD patients, we pursued the existence of a correlation between cognitive ability and functional capacity in a specific domain: maintenance of social roles. Fifty-one consecutive euthimic BD patients (age 20-60) were assessed in this study. Patient’s clinical symptoms were evaluated with Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL -90R), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17).All partecipants completed a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological subtests for memory, executive functions and attention, using Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT ), Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT ), Digit Span Test (DST ), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST ), Verbal Fluency (FPL), Stroop Test, Visual Search, Trail Making Test (TMT). Life Skills Profile (LS P), Disability Scale (DISS ) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-II (WHODAS -II) were used to evaluate psychosocial functioning and social roles. Results showed that euthimic BD patients of our group, displayed many impairments across several domains of neurocognition and social functioning. Significant associations were observed between executive functions and loss of social roles (occupational functioning) in euthimic bipolar patients. These results show that in BD patients, specific cognitive functions are associated with functional outcome. The assessment of these measures may therefore represent an important step in studies on psychosocial outcomes. This study contributed to identify some specific targets for treatment or remediation in BD.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
