The Comparison of Cognitive Functions in Bipolar Disorder Type I Patients and Normal Subjects

Spectrum bipolar disorders have been placed between depression disorders and psychotic disorders. Bipolar depression is associated with a number of symptoms, such as psychomotor retardation and akathisia. The purpose of this study was comparing the cognitive functions of patients with bipolar I disorder (BD) and normal subjects. The study’s method was an ex post- event (causal-comparative). The sample consisted of 50 women patients with bipolar I disorder (BD), who were selected by targeting sampling, after they were reaching the stable level and the symptoms were reduced they chose among the patient in Tabriz Razi Hospital. Also 50 normal (non- clinical) subjects were chosen. They were matched in gender, age and IQ to compare whit bipolar groups’ functions. Both groups were evaluated using adult Rowan IQ, Simple Strope test, Wechsler Clinical Memory Test, Wisconsin Card Test and Hanoi Tower Test. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis (MANOVA). The result of the research showed the meaningful differences between patients whit bipolar I disorder (BD) and normal group, in tests, which are related to cognitive functions, they include: attention, memory and different aspect of it with some subtests include: personal information, orientation, mental control, memory of numbers, visual memory, and remember the words), cognitive flexibility, and skills of problem solving. Cognitive functions in patients with bipolar I disorder were weaker than normal group, so the first group need some rehabilitations to improve their functions.