ReviewA meta-analysis of neurocognition in youth with familial high risk for bipolar disorder

ObjectiveNeuropsychological impairment, including deficits in social cognition is evident in subjects at genetic high-risk for psychosis. However, findings in youth at genetic risk to bipolar disorder (BP) have been suggested to be less supportive of premorbid deficits. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of cognitive deficits in youth with familiar risk for bipolar disorder (FHR-BD).MethodsA novel meta-analysis of FHR-BD (mean age 10-25), including 18 studies (786 offsprings/siblings of patients with BD and 794 healthy controls), was conducted.ResultsBoth general cognition (d = 0.29, CI = 0.15-0.44) and social cognition (d = 0.23, CI = 0-0.45) were impaired in FHR-BD. In comparison to controls, FHR-BD had significant deficits in several cognitive domains, including visual memory (d = 0.35), verbal memory (d = 0.21), processing speed (d = 0.26) and sustained attention (d = 0.36). There was no significant difference between FHR-BD and controls in planning and working memory.ConclusionsCognitive deficits are evident in individuals who are at genetic high-risk for developing BD. Neurodevelopmental abnormalities are likely playing a role not only in schizophrenia but also in BD.