International Journal of Bipolar Disorders | 2019
Neuropsychological profiles of adult bipolar disorder patients with and without comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Abstract
BackgroundComorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in bipolar disorder and associated with worse outcomes. Cognitive testing might be a tool to identify this group. Here we compare the neuropsychological profiles of bipolar disorder patients with (BD\u2009+\u2009cADHD) and without (BD\u2009−\u2009cADHD) childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.MethodsAdult patients with BD\u2009\u2009−\u2009\u2009cADHD (n\u2009=\u200966), BD\u2009+\u2009cADHD (n\u2009=\u200932), and healthy controls (n\u2009=\u2009112) were tested using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Patients underwent rigorous diagnostic assessments for bipolar disorder and ADHD, as well as a parental interview to establish childhood ADHD.ResultsThe neuropsychological profiles of the groups were similar, except that the BD\u2009+\u2009cADHD group performed significantly worse on working memory. Working memory did not differ between those in the BD\u2009+\u2009cADHD group who only had a history of childhood ADHD and those that still met criteria for ADHD in adulthood.ConclusionsCognitive testing had limited power to differentiate between bipolar disorder adults with and without childhood ADHD. The BD\u2009+\u2009cADHD subgroup cannot explain the significant cognitive heterogeneity seen in bipolar disorder patients.