The effect of concomitant benzodiazepine use on neurocognition in stable, long-term patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: Neurocognitive dysfunction is a common feature of bipolar disorder even in euthymia, and psychopharmacological treatment could have an effect on cognition. Long-term prescription of benzodiazepines in bipolar disorder is a common practice, and their effect on neurocognition has not been w...

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Published in:Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry 2021-10, Vol.55 (10), p.1005-1016
Main Authors: Cañada, Yolanda, Sabater, Ana, Sierra, Pilar, Balanzá-Martínez, Vicent, Berk, Michael, Dodd, Seetal, Navalón, Pablo, Livianos, Lorenzo, García-Blanco, Ana
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Objective: Neurocognitive dysfunction is a common feature of bipolar disorder even in euthymia, and psychopharmacological treatment could have an effect on cognition. Long-term prescription of benzodiazepines in bipolar disorder is a common practice, and their effect on neurocognition has not been well studied in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of concomitant benzodiazepine long-term use on neurocognitive function in stable euthymic bipolar disorder patients. Methods: Seventy-three euthymic bipolar disorder outpatients and 40 healthy individuals were assessed using a neurocognitive battery. Patients were classified in two groups according to the presence of benzodiazepines in their treatment: the benzodiazepine group (n = 34) and the non- benzodiazepine group (n = 39). Neurocognitive performance was compared between the groups using a multivariate analysis of covariance, considering age, number of depressive episodes, adjuvant antipsychotic drugs, Young Mania Rating Scale score and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score as covariates. Results: Both bipolar disorder groups (benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine) showed an impairment in memory domains (Immediate Visual Memory [p = 0.013], Working Memory [p 
ISSN:0004-8674
1440-1614
DOI:10.1177/0004867420969819