A bipolar disorder review found limited evidence of gains in specific thinking skills
Among people with bipolar disorder, selected supplements showed improvements on particular cognitive tests. Most reviewed interventions were supplements, and varied methods limit the broader conclusion.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In people with bipolar disorder, selected supplements showed gains in particular thinking skills: citicoline was associated with better memory for facts and events and verbal learning, while creatine was associated with better verbal fluency, or word generation. The studies were few and varied, so these results do not establish a broad cognitive benefit from lifestyle interventions.
Although reviewers rated study quality highly and bias risk as low, only 3 trials made cognition the primary outcome. Differences in participants, interventions, and tests limited a broader interpretation.
The intervention mix was narrow
The review summarized results in words rather than pooling a single effect estimate. Most trials examined supplements, while one examined Tai Chi/Qigong. This narrow mix provides little direct evidence about whole-diet changes or combinations of lifestyle approaches.
Test domains should remain distinct
The studies used validated thinking tests, but they did not all assess cognition as their main outcome. A positive result in one test domain should remain attached to that domain, rather than stand for an improvement in all thinking skills.
The original publication
Lifestyle-based interventions targeting neurocognition in bipolar disorders - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Balanzá-Martínez V, Galdámez-Huertas A, Sánchez-Ortí JV et al.
Psychiatry Res · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40639301
- Record checked
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