J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2012 Mar;51(2):70-76.

Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

• Kim MK
• Lee EJ
• Kim HC

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences of cognitive impairment between depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
METHODS
Participants were adults between the ages of 18 and 65, and included 40 healthy control subjects, 40 outpatients diagnosed with depressive disorder, and 35 outpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Full-Scale Intelligence Quotients (FIQ) were measured using the Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The levels of Memory Quotients (MQ) were yielded on a Rey-Kim Memory Test, and executive functions were assessed using Kim's Frontal-Executive Function Test. Scores of each scale were compared among the three groups using ANOVA.
RESULTS
With respect to FIQ, Performance Intelligence Quotient, block design, object assembly, Executive Intelligence Quotient, Stroop test-interference trial, verbal fluency, design fluency, MQ, and recall, depressive disorder patients and bipolar disorder patients showed similar results, and both patient groups were impaired compared to normal controls. The depressive disorder group showed significantly lower scores on Digit Symbol and the Stroop Test than both normal control and bipolar disorder groups did. The bipolar disorder group showed significantly lower scores on the Verbal Learning Test and Recognition task than both the normal control and depressive disorder groups did.
CONCLUSION
A similar deficit profile was observed in both patient groups, involving poorer visual-spatial function, cognitive flexibility, and overall executive function/memory. Depressed patients showed particular difficulties with tasks requiring sustained effort, such as word learning and free recall. In contrast with depressed patients, Bipolar patients showed particular difficulties with higher conceptualization, selective attention/control, and recognition.

Keyword

Bipolar disorder; Depressive disorder; Cognitive Impairments

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bipolar Disorder
Depressive Disorder
Executive Function
Humans
Intelligence
Learning
Memory
Outpatients
Pliability
Stroop Test
Verbal Learning

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