Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more prevalent in individuals with bipolar disorder and has a negative impact on cognition, in particular on executive function, which is already impaired in individuals with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, w...

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Main Authors: Nina Dalkner, Susanne A. Bengesser, Armin Birner, Frederike T. Fellendorf, Eva Fleischmann, Katja Großschädl, Melanie Lenger, Alexander Maget, Martina Platzer, Robert Queissner, Elena Schönthaler, Adelina Tmava-Berisha, Eva Z. Reininghaus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.717824/full
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author Nina Dalkner
Susanne A. Bengesser
Armin Birner
Frederike T. Fellendorf
Eva Fleischmann
Katja Großschädl
Melanie Lenger
Alexander Maget
Martina Platzer
Robert Queissner
Elena Schönthaler
Adelina Tmava-Berisha
Eva Z. Reininghaus
author_facet Nina Dalkner
Susanne A. Bengesser
Armin Birner
Frederike T. Fellendorf
Eva Fleischmann
Katja Großschädl
Melanie Lenger
Alexander Maget
Martina Platzer
Robert Queissner
Elena Schönthaler
Adelina Tmava-Berisha
Eva Z. Reininghaus
author_sort Nina Dalkner
collection DOAJ
description Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more prevalent in individuals with bipolar disorder and has a negative impact on cognition, in particular on executive function, which is already impaired in individuals with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we compared 148 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 117 healthy controls in cognitive function depending on the diagnosis of MetS. A neuropsychological test battery was used including the Trail Making Test A/B, Stroop Color and Word Interference Test, the d2 Test of Attention Revised, and the California Verbal Learning Test. In addition, MetS variables as well as the defining variables waist circumference, serum triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, and body mass index were compared between patients and controls. In addition, illness-related variables were associated with MetS in individuals with bipolar disorder.Results: The prevalence of MetS in patients with bipolar disorder was higher than in controls (30.4 vs. 15.4%). Patients with bipolar disorder with MetS had impaired executive function compared to patients without MetS or healthy controls with and without MetS (p = 0.020). No MetS effects or interaction MetS × Group was found in attention/processing speed (p = 0.883) and verbal learning/memory (p = 0.373). Clinical variables (illness duration, suicidality, number of affective episodes, medication, age of onset, and history of psychosis) did not relate to MetS in bipolar disorder (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Bipolar disorder comorbid with MetS bears additional risk for impaired executive function. Executive function includes action planning, inhibition, and impulse control and could play a critical role in keeping long-term goals in mind associated with gaining and maintaining a healthy weight.
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spelling doaj.art-55d44062ee6d449387960f51b4c559a62022-12-21T22:51:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2021-08-011510.3389/fnins.2021.717824717824Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar DisorderNina DalknerSusanne A. BengesserArmin BirnerFrederike T. FellendorfEva FleischmannKatja GroßschädlMelanie LengerAlexander MagetMartina PlatzerRobert QueissnerElena SchönthalerAdelina Tmava-BerishaEva Z. ReininghausBackground: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more prevalent in individuals with bipolar disorder and has a negative impact on cognition, in particular on executive function, which is already impaired in individuals with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we compared 148 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 117 healthy controls in cognitive function depending on the diagnosis of MetS. A neuropsychological test battery was used including the Trail Making Test A/B, Stroop Color and Word Interference Test, the d2 Test of Attention Revised, and the California Verbal Learning Test. In addition, MetS variables as well as the defining variables waist circumference, serum triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, and body mass index were compared between patients and controls. In addition, illness-related variables were associated with MetS in individuals with bipolar disorder.Results: The prevalence of MetS in patients with bipolar disorder was higher than in controls (30.4 vs. 15.4%). Patients with bipolar disorder with MetS had impaired executive function compared to patients without MetS or healthy controls with and without MetS (p = 0.020). No MetS effects or interaction MetS × Group was found in attention/processing speed (p = 0.883) and verbal learning/memory (p = 0.373). Clinical variables (illness duration, suicidality, number of affective episodes, medication, age of onset, and history of psychosis) did not relate to MetS in bipolar disorder (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Bipolar disorder comorbid with MetS bears additional risk for impaired executive function. Executive function includes action planning, inhibition, and impulse control and could play a critical role in keeping long-term goals in mind associated with gaining and maintaining a healthy weight.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.717824/fullmetabolic syndromecognitionexecutive functionbipolar disorderabdominal obesity
spellingShingle Nina Dalkner
Susanne A. Bengesser
Armin Birner
Frederike T. Fellendorf
Eva Fleischmann
Katja Großschädl
Melanie Lenger
Alexander Maget
Martina Platzer
Robert Queissner
Elena Schönthaler
Adelina Tmava-Berisha
Eva Z. Reininghaus
Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder
Frontiers in Neuroscience
metabolic syndrome
cognition
executive function
bipolar disorder
abdominal obesity
title Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder
title_full Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder
title_fullStr Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder
title_full_unstemmed Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder
title_short Metabolic Syndrome Impairs Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder
title_sort metabolic syndrome impairs executive function in bipolar disorder
topic metabolic syndrome
cognition
executive function
bipolar disorder
abdominal obesity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.717824/full
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