Impact of neurocognitive function on academic difficulties in pediatric bipolar disorder: A clinical translation.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Previous research has demonstrated that academic and neuropsychological functions are compromised in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). Investigation of the degree to which neuropsychological deficits might contribute to those academic problems is needed to aid in the recognition and intervention for school achievement difficulties in PBD.

METHODS:
A sample of 55 children and adolescents with PBD with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (PBD group, n = 28; PBD+ADHD group, n = 27) were tested with a computerized neurocognitive battery and standardized neuropsychological tests. Age range of subjects was 7-17 years, with the mean age of 11.97 (3.18) years. Parents completed a structured questionnaire on school and academic functioning.

RESULTS:
Logistic regression analyses indicated that executive function, attention, working memory, and verbal memory scores were poorer in those with a history of reading/writing difficulties. A separate logistic regression analysis found that attentional dysfunction predicted math difficulties. These relationships between neuropsychological function and academic difficulties were not different in those with PBD+ADHD than in those with PBD alone.

CONCLUSIONS:
In PBD neuropsychological deficits in the areas of attention, working memory, and organization/problem solving skills all contribute to academic difficulties. Early identification and intervention for these difficulties might help prevent lower academic achievement in PBD.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Pavuluri, Mani N (MN); O'Connor, Megan Marlow (MM); Harral, Erin M (EM); Moss, Melissa (M); Sweeney, John A (JA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. mpavuluri(-atsign-)psych.uic.edu

Grants: K23 EE018638-01 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Biological psychiatry (Biol Psychiatry), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Nov; vol 60 (issue 9) : pp 951-6

Dates: Created 2006/10/23; Completed 2007/01/23; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 16730333, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Analysis of Variance
Bipolar Disorder - physiopathology; psychology
Child
Cognition - physiology
Developmental Disabilities - physiopathology; psychology

Female
Humans
Male
Neuropsychological Tests - statistics & numerical data
Pediatrics
Underachievement

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.