Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness characterized by high recurrence rates and notable cognitive deficits. Although sex differences are known to influence the clinical characteristics of BD, their specific impact on cognitive function remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the role of sex in shaping cognitive profiles within a large sample of BD patients. Methods: The sample included 243 individuals, 168 patients with first-diagnosed bipolar disorder (107 males and 61 females) and 75 healthy controls (44 males and 31females). Cognitive functions were assessed using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the Digital Span Test (DST), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Cognitive performance was compared between patient groups and healthy control groups. Results: value of <0.05). The TA and NPE of male patients are significantly higher than female patients. Among male subjects, the TA and NPE scores of BD patients were significantly higher than healthy controls. Among female subjects, the NPE score of BP patients was significantly higher than healthy controls. The hospital admission frequency was significantly and negatively correlated with attention function scores. Conclusion: Both male and female patients with BD exhibit cognitive impairment. Sex appears to play a crucial role in cognitive function among first-diagnosed patients with bipolar disorder. Male patients may be more vulnerable to deficits in cognitive transferability and attention stability, whereas female patients may be more susceptible to memory impairments.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Institution: Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7125418414