Attention Deficits in a Comorbidity-Free Sample of Euthymic Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Attention deficits are considered one of the potential endophenotypic markers of Bipolar Disorder (BD). Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) likely has stronger genetic underpinnings than adult onset BD; therefore, demonstrating attention deficits in PBD can be both strategic and convincing in attesting their status as one of the potential endophenotypic markers of BD. However, unlike adult literature, uncertainty exists regarding the magnitude of attention deficits in PBD. In this regard, one key unresolved question is the potential impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The main goal of the study was to examine attention deficits in a comorbidity-free sample of euthymic PBD patients. Thirty (21 boys, 9 girls) remitted PBD patients without co-morbidity and thirty age (< 17 years), sex, handedness, and Full-Scale IQ matched control subjects were compared on performance on attention tasks. Working memory (WM), which might potentially confound with the attention task performances, was also examined. Compared to controls, PBD patients performed poorly on various tests of attention, but not on any WM tasks. Further, it was found that observed attention deficits were independent of residual mood symptoms, medication effect or illness characteristics. Such attention deficits in this comorbidity-free PBD sample further endorses its status as an endophenotypic marker of bipolar disorders and establishes continuity with deficits found in adult bipolar patients.