Citation

Macqueen GM, Memedovich KA. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2016; 71(1): 18-27.

Affiliation

Health Sciences Program, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/pcn.12463

PMID

27685435

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction is a recognized feature of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Cognitive impairment is associated with poor overall functional outcome and is therefore an important feature of illness to optimize for patients' occupational and academic outcomes. While generally people with BD appear to have a greater degree of cognitive impairment than those with MDD, direct comparisons of both patient groups within a single study are lacking. There are a number of methods for the assessment of cognitive function, but few are currently used in clinical practice. Current symptoms, past course of illness, clinical features such as the presence of psychosis and co-morbid conditions may all influence cognitive function in mood disorders. Despite the general lack of assessment of cognitive function in clinical practice, clinicians are increasingly targeting cognitive symptoms as part of comprehensive treatment strategies. Novel pharmacological agents may improve cognitive function, but most studies of standard mood stabilizers such as lithium and the anticonvulsants have focused on whether or not the medications impair cognition. Nonpharmacological strategies such as cognitive remediation and exercise are increasingly studied in patients with mood disorders. Despite the growing interest in strategies to manage cognitive function, there is a paucity of high quality trials examining either pharmacological or nonpharmacological modes of intervention.

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Language: en