A Patient With Bipolar Illness and Her Neuropsychological Signature

Abstract

This article describes a case study in which neuropsychological assessment was carried out on a 30-year-old, previously diagnosed, bipolar female to determine existence of specific deficits in cognitive function. The patient, whose mood cycles were 12 hours to 24 hours, was subsequently evaluated 8 hours per day for 5 consecutive days (a complete work week of neuropsychological assessment). Neuropsychological results showed motor slowing, right hemispheric dysfunctioning, and memory problems during depressive periods and attentional and executive problems during hypomanic and manic periods. The most normal performance was found during euthymic periods. In addition, left and right hemi visual neglect, aphasia, and sensorimotor problems were present across all mood states. Treatment implications are subsequently described.

Developments in Clinical Neuropsychology: Implications for School Psychological Services

“…Today there is solid neurobiological evidence for attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), disorders of reading, written language, and mathematics as well as pervasive developmental disorders such as Asperger's syndrome 11–17 . Common psychiatric conditions that present with significant neuropsychological abnormalities include schizophrenia, obsessive‐compulsive disorder, unipolar depression, and bipolar affective disorder 18–24 . Although an interest in the biological underpinnings of behavior is not new to the field of school psychology, it is becoming more relevant to the current generation of practitioners.…”

“…Several recently published works focusing on the application of neuropsychological principles in school settings reflect this trend 12,25–27 . School psychologists who want to incorporate brain‐behavior research and neuropsychological principles into practice are starting to identify themselves as school neuropsychologists 24 …”