THE IMPACTS OF BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAIN AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.21651225211113

• Palavras-chave: Bipolar Affective Disorder; Brain Executive Functions; Neuropsychological Differential Diagnosis.

• Keywords: Bipolar Affective Disorder; Brain Executive Functions; Neuropsychological Differential Diagnosis.

• Abstract:

  Bipolar Affective Disorder (BAD) is a chronic and recurrent mood disorder characterized by episodes of depression and mania/hypomania, often accompanied by cognitive impairments. Among these, changes in executive functions stand out, which can impact the individual's overall functioning.
  Objective: To analyze the impacts of Bipolar Affective Disorder on brain executive functions and the contributions of neuropsychological differential diagnosis.
  Methodology: This is a bibliographic and exploratory study based on books, monographs, dissertations, theses, and scientific articles available in databases such as SciELO, PePSIC, BVS, CAPES Journals, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, prioritizing publications between 2015 and 2025. Studies prior to this period were also included when they presented relevant content on the impacts of TAB on executive functions and neuropsychological differential diagnosis.
  Results: The literature indicates that TAB is associated with significant impairments in executive functions, such as planning, decision-making, impulse control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. These deficits, often related to changes in frontal regions, have negative repercussions in areas such as occupational performance, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. It is also evident that psychiatric comorbidities and the clinical course of the disorder can aggravate cognitive impairment.
  Conclusion: It is concluded that BAD, through its impacts on executive functions, causes significant impairments in different dimensions of an individual's life. Differential diagnosis supported by neuropsychological assessment contributes to greater accuracy and speed in identifying the disorder, enabling more appropriate and potentially preventive interventions in relation to functional and psychosocial damage.