Investigation of Factors Associated With Preserved Cognitive Function in Bipolar Disorder

Investigation of Factors Associated With Preserved Cognitive Function in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) ïs the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide among young people. Differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between patients do not influence educational achievement and receipt of disability pension, indicating that there are other factors such as neurocognitive function that are of importance for maintaining occupational and social function. Research has shown that at the group level, cognitive deficits are present in euthymic BD patients, while approximately 30%-50% of BD patients is not different from healthy controls when it comes to cognitive function. There is however little knowledge of risk and resilience factors for cognitive impairment in BD. Factors likely to contribute to cognitive and functional outcomes in BD, such as sleep, obesity, biological rhythms, comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions are also understudied. While it has been customary to focus research on factors related to the negative illness trajectories, the overarching aim of the current project is to explore factors associated with favourable outcomes. This shift in research focus is essential to elucidate factors related to more preserved function since this represents a clear gap in knowledge today.

This is an observational and prospective study aimed at identifying risk and resilience factors for cognitive impairment in BD. The investigators will enrol 85 participants with bipolar disorder. The assessment period is ten days. At inclusion, the investigators will collect information on other psychiatric conditions, known somatic diseases, symptom levels of depression, and symptoms of hypo-/mania. Insomnia severity and risk factors for metabolic syndrome will be assessed. Secondly, the investigators will examine sleep and activity with both subjective and objective measures for ten days. Third, a newly developed web-based neuropsychological test protocol will be used shortly after assessment of sleep and activity to test cognitive function. Fourth, alcohol use, substance use and biological rhythms will be assessed. Lastly, the investigators will retest cognitive function and symptom levels five years after enrolment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals aged >=18 years who score <= 16 on the MADRS or <= 8 on the YMRS.
• Willing and able to give online informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Symptom level above inclusion criteria will be put on a waiting list, and if informed consent is given, will be included when symptom level is reduced.
• No Norwegian fluency.