Cognitive abilities in first-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder

Abstract

Background Although the study of cognition in first degree relatives (FDRs) is not new, findings in this group are still somewhat inconsistent and much of the research examining FDR populations include individuals under the age of 25, who are arguably still at significant risk to go on to develop BD. The present study aimed to establish the value of cognitive performance as a genuine endophenotypic marker of familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD), by examining cognition in FDRs aged 25 years or older. Methods The current study compared the cognitive performance of 27 unaffected FDRs to 47 healthy controls (HCs) and 28 BD patients using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Results..