Neurocognitive heterogeneity in older adults with bipolar disorders

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of clinically significant cognitive deficits in a sample of euthymic older age bipolar disorder (OABD) patients, and its relationship with functional outcome. Sixty-six outpatients and 30 controls completed a neuropsychological battery and a measure of psychosocial functioning. There were 33.3% (CI95% 22-44%) of patients without clinically significant cognitive deficits, 36.4% (CI95% 24-48%) with selective deficits, and 30.3% (CI95% 19-41%) with global deficits. Patients without cognitive deficits were indistinguishable of healthy controls in terms of psychosocial functioning, while patients with cognitive impairments had lower functional outcome. Neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning might be heterogeneous among patients with OABD.