Cognitive Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Evidence and Implications

Cognitive dysfunction associated with bipolar disorder is evident irrespective of whether patients are in manic, depressive, or mixed episodes and persists even after remission. Therefore, cognitive dysfunction constitutes an endophenotype of bipolar disorder. The underlying causes of cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder include childhood trauma, obesity, inflammation, and abnormalities in brain structure and function. Cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder is closely associated with patients’ quality of life and constitutes a critical predictor of overall occupational and social functioning. Clinicians should routinely assess cognitive impairments in patients with bipolar disorder and provide appropriate treatments to mitigate the risk of further cognitive decline due to recurrence, while continuously exploring additional intervention strategies.