Antipsicóticos: aspectos neurocognitivos

Cognitive function has received particular interest due its potential impact on the daily functioning of patients with bipolar disorder. It is currently well known that cognitive disorders could be present from the onset of the illness. The various pharmacological treatments that patients receive may not be free of neuropsychological side effects, from both positive and negative points of view. The cognitive side effects that are associated with the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs to patients with bipolar disorder are then reviewed. Very few studies have been conducted specifically with this population, with most data coming from research into schizophrenia and, in some cases, from studies on healthy subjects. At present, we cannot conclude that an atypical antipsychotic is better than others with regard to its cognitive profile. In clinical practice, when prescribing a specific drug, clinicians should take its cognitive profile into consideration in the same way that its potential adverse effects are considered.