Investigation of the relationship between neurokognitive functions and levels of nitric oxide, asymmetric dimethylargy in eutimic patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Objectives: Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness which can cause cognitive impairment. The current study aimed to explore the association between cognitive functions and serum NO, ADMA levels in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Materials and Methods: The study sample was consisted of patients followed by Afyon Kocatepe University Psychiatry Department outpatient clinic. 45 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to DSM-V criteria and 45 volunteers adjusted for gender, age, and education were included. Sociodemographic Data Form , Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale were applied to all participients. Neurocognitive functions were assessed with Test of Verbal Memory Processes, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) , Stroop Test and Trail-Making Test. Serum NO and ADMA levels were measured using ELISA kit. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney-U, Chi-Square, Spearman and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis Results: Neuropsychological test scores of euthymic patients wtih bipolar disorder was statistically lower than control group. There was a statistically reverse correlation of verbal memory scores with total number of manic episodes. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in serum NO levels. Serum ADMA levels of patient group was statistically lower than control group. There was no statistically significant correlation detected between serum NO levels with clinical variables and neurocognitive functions. Statistically significant correlation was found between ADMA levels and spontaneous recall in SBST scores, the percent of conceptual level responses in WCST scores, including Stroop Test time scores in each section but particulary section 5 score and Trail Making Test A time score. Conclusion: According to the results of present study , in patients with bipolar mood disorder, there is deterioration in areas of cognitive such as memory, learning, attention, processing speed, changing strategy and solving problem. It was determined that the impairment is not associated with serum NO level but some sub-test scores (spontaneous recall, the percent of conceptual level responses, time to complete the Stroop test, Trail Making Test A time score) were determined that the relationship with serum ADMA level. The results should be supported with the multi-center studies with larger samples composed of patients with bipolar mood disorder.