Is brain perfusion correlated to switching mood states and cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder type I? A longitudinal study using perfusion imaging approach

Estudillo-Guerra, Maria Anayali; Linnman, Clas; Gálvez , Víctor; Chapa-Koloffon, Gina; Pacheco-Barrios, Kevin; Morales-Quezada, Leon; Flores Ramos, Monica

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1244134

Is brain perfusion correlated to switching mood states and cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder type I? A longitudinal study using perfusion imaging approach

Journal

Frontiers in Psychiatry

ISSN

1664-0640

Date Issued

2023

Author(s)

Estudillo-Guerra, Maria Anayali

Linnman, Clas

Gálvez , Víctor

Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud - CampCM

Chapa-Koloffon, Gina

Pacheco-Barrios, Kevin

Morales-Quezada, Leon

Flores Ramos, Monica

Type

text::journal::journal article

DOI

10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1244134

URL

https://scripta.up.edu.mx/handle/20.500.12552/9921

Abstract

Type I Bipolar disorder (BD-I) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by manic or mixed-featured episodes, impaired cognitive functioning, and persistent work and social functioning impairment. This study aimed to investigate within-subject; (i) differences in brain perfusion using Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) between manic and euthymic states in BD-I patients; (ii) explore potential associations between altered brain perfusion and cognitive status; and (iii) examine the relationship between cerebral perfusion and mania symptom ratings. Seventeen adult patients diagnosed with BD-I in a manic episode were recruited, and clinical assessments, cognitive tests, and brain perfusion studies were conducted at baseline (mania state) and a follow-up visit 6 months later. The results showed cognitive impairment during the manic episode, which persisted during the euthymic state at follow-up. However, no significant changes in brain perfusion were observed between the manic and euthymic states. During mania, trends toward decreased perfusion in the left cerebellum and right superior parietal lobule were noted. Additionally, trends indicated a higher perfusion imbalance in the left superior and middle frontal gyrus during mania and the right superior and middle frontal gyrus during euthymia. No significant correlations existed between brain perfusion, mania symptom ratings, and cognitive performance, indicating that symptomatology might represent more than neural hemodynamics. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment may persist in BD-I patients and highlight the need for therapeutic interventions targeting cognitive deficits. More extensive studies with extended follow-up periods are warranted further to investigate brain perfusion and cognitive functioning in BD-I patients.