Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Leser, B.
The Influence of Vitamin D Deficiency on Cognitive Ability in Patients with Bipolar Disorder and Healthy Controls.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis (UNI) ] Universität Graz; 2023.
FullText
- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Dalkner Nina
- Unterrainer Human-Friedrich
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: Research showed that patients with bipolar disorder often exhibit cognitive deficits and show vitamin D deficiency. Recent studies tested the influence of vitamin D on cognition in mentally healthy individuals and showed inconsistent results. In patients with bipolar disorder as a cognitive impaired group, the link between vitamin D and cognitive ability has not been studied yet. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D and cognition in a well-designed sample of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: Cognition data from 86 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 93 healthy controls have been collected. Cognition was categorized into attention, memory, and executive domains, explored by the Trail Making Test A/B, the Color-Word Interference Test, and the California Verbal Learning Test. Furthermore, 25(OH)D, the main vitamin D catabolite 24,25(OH)2D3, and the vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR) were measured to assess the vitamin D status. Results: Neither 25(OH)D, nor 24,25(OH)2D3, nor VMR did significantly affect attention, memory, or executive function in patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Compared to healthy controls, patients with bipolar disorder showed poorer memory and executive function. However, no vitamin D deficiency effect or interaction Group × Vitamin D deficiency was found in the cognitive domain scores. Conclusion: The findings show that the vitamin D status, the vitamin D catabolite, and the VMR do not affect cognition in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Also, a functional vitamin D deficiency does not affect attention, memory, or executive function. Further research should investigate the association between vitamin D and cognition during a manic or depressive episode.