Lack of differential cognitive effects of lithium and carbamazepine in bipolar affective disorder

Cognitive functioning was assessed in medication-free as well as carbamazepine- and lithium-treated patients with manic-depressive illness. Across a range of tests measuring attention, concentration, visuomotor function, and memory, no significant differences were observed across the three patient groups as compared with control subjects without manic-depressive illness. The clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.