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Neuropsychological Function in Manic-Depressive Psychosis Evidence for Persistent Deficits in Patients with Chronic, Severe Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

A. P. McKay ,
A. F. Tarbuck ,
J. Shapleske  and
P. J. McKenna
A. P. McKay*
Affiliation:
Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge
A. F. Tarbuck
Affiliation:
Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge
J. Shapleske
Affiliation:
Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge
P. J. McKenna
Affiliation:
Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge
*
Dr A. P. McKay, St. Loman's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin
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Extract

Background

While neuropsychological deficits are recognised to occur in manic-depressive psychosis during episodes of depression and to reverse with clinical recovery, it is uncertain whether they can ever be seen outside episodes of illness.

Method

Forty-five patients meeting DSM–III–R criteria for major depression or bipolar disorder were screened using tests of memory, executive function and overall intellectual function. All testing was carried out during remission of affective symptoms.

Results

None of 24 young patients and 11 elderly patients scored in the impaired range on any of the tests. However, five of ten patients with chronic, severe affective disorder were impaired on one or more of the measures. On more detailed neuropsychological investigation, these five patients were found to show a variable pattern of impairment, ranging from memory and executive deficits in relative isolation, to widespread poor performance.

Conclusions

Enduring neuropsychological deficits may be a feature of chronic, severe manic-depressive illness.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 1 , July 1995 , pp. 51 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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