Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Cognitive Functioning and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Late-Life Bipolar Disorder.

Gildengers AG, Butters MA, Chisholm D, Rogers JC, Holm MB, Bhalla RK, Seligman K, Dew MA, Reynolds CF, Kupfer DJ, Mulsant BH

Advanced Center for Intervention and Services Research for Late-Life Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, and the Bipolar Disorder Center for Pennsylvanians, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA (ACG, MAB, RKB, KS, MAD, CFR, DJK, BHM); the Mental Health Program, Center for Addiction and Mental Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (BHM); and the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (DC, JCR, MBH).

Objective: The authors report on the relationship between cognitive functioning and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in elderly, clinically euthymic adults with bipolar disorder. Methods: Twenty patients with bipolar disorder (age range: 61-86 years) were administered comprehensive neuropsychologic testing. Structured in-home performance-based assessments of IADLs were performed in 19 of these patients. Results: Relative to age-equated comparators, bipolar subjects performed worse in information-processing speed and executive functioning. IADL performance was strongly correlated with these cognitive domains. Conclusions: In euthymic elderly patients with bipolar disorder, decrements in information processing speed and executive functioning characterize cognitive function and are associated with poorer IADL performance.

Published 2 February 2007 in Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 15(2): 174-179.
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