RESEARCH ARTICLE
Functional Remediation for Bipolar Disorder
Anabel Martínez-Arán1, Carla Torrent2, Brisa Solé2, C. Mar Bonnín2, Adriane R Rosa2, José Sánchez-Moreno2, Eduard Vieta2, *
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2011Volume: 7
First Page: 112
Last Page: 116
Publisher ID: CPEMH-7-112
DOI: 10.2174/1745017901107010112
Article History:
Received Date: 17/2/2011Revision Received Date: 2/5/2011
Acceptance Date: 2/5/2011
Electronic publication date: 6/6/2011
Collection year: 2011

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Neurocognitive impairment constitutes a core feature of bipolar illness. The main domains affected are verbal memory, attention, and executive functions. Deficits in these areas as well as difficulties to get functional remission seem to be increased associated with illness progression. Several studies have found a strong relationship between neurocognitive impairment and low functioning in bipolar disorder, as previously reported in other illnesses such as schizophrenia. Cognitive remediation strategies, adapted from work conducted with traumatic brain injury patients and applied to patients with schizophrenia, also need to be adapted to individuals with bipolar disorders. Early intervention using functional remediation, involves neurocognitive techniques and training, but also psychoeducation on cognition-related issues and problem-solving within an ecological framework.