Objectives Neurocognitive deficits have been widely reported in euthymic Bipolar Disorder (BD) patients and contribute to functional disability. However, the longitudinal trajectory of these deficits remains a subject of debate. Although most research to this date shows that neurocognitive deficits tend to be stable among middle‐age BD patients, it remains plausible that deterioration occurs at either early or late stages of this condition. Methods We conducted a comprehensive meta‐analysis of studies that reported longitudinal neurocognitive performance among individuals with BD either within the year of their diagnosis or among late‐life BD patients. Pooled effects of standardized mean differences (SMDs) for changes in neuropsychological scores over follow‐up were estimated using random effects model. We also examined effect moderators, such as length of follow‐up, mood state, or pharmacological load. Results Eight studies met inclusion criteria for recent‐onset and four studies for late‐life BD analysis. No evidence for a deterioration in neurocognitive functioning was observed among recent‐onset BD patients (8 studies, 284 patients, SMD: 0.12, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.30, mean follow‐up: 17 months) nor for late‐life BD patients (4 studies, 153 patients, SMD: −0.35, 95% CI −0.84 to 0.15, mean follow‐up: 33 months). None of the moderators were shown to be significant. Conclusions These results, when appraised together with the findings in middle‐life BD patients and individuals at genetic risk for BD, suggest that neurodevelopmental factors might play a significant role in cognitive deficits in BD and do not support the notion of progressive cognitive decline in most patients with BD.

Recent literature has raised concerns regarding the risk of adverse psychiatric events among bariatric surgery patients. However, the relationship between weight loss therapy and psychiatric outcomes is confounded by baseline psychosocial characteristics in observational studies. To understand the impact of bariatric surgery on the risk of adverse mental health outcomes, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared surgical and non‐surgical treatments and assessed mental health quality of life (QoL). We evaluated the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science PsycINFO, http://clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane databases through 7 March 2018. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) for mental health QoL scores were estimated using random effects models. Eleven randomized trials with 731 participants were included in the final analyses. Surgery was not associated with an improvement in mental health QoL from baseline as compared to non‐surgical intervention (SMD: 0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.22 to 0.25). Final mental health QoL scores were similar for surgically and non‐surgically treated patients (SMD: 0.37, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.81). Subgroup analyses assessing the effect of specific surgical interventions, and varying lengths of follow‐up did not identify a beneficial effect of bariatric surgery on mental health QoL outcomes. These results, in conjunction with the fact that individuals who choose bariatric surgery tend to have high‐risk baseline characteristics, suggest that intensive mental health follow‐up following surgery should be routinely considered.