Cognitive Enhancement in Bipolar Disorder

The examinee is read a sequence of numbers and must recall the numbers in the same order. Measures auditory attention and verbal working memory. The standard scores were reported for this measure. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The examinee is read a sequence of numbers and must recall the numbers in reverse order. Measures auditory attention and verbal working memory. The standard scores were reported for this measure. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

Using a key, the examinee copies symbols that are paired with numbers within a specified time limit. Measures visual scanning and graphomotor speed. The standard scores were reported for this measure. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The Stroop Color-Word Test consists of a word page with words printed in black ink, a color page with 'Xs' printed in color, and a color-word page where the color and the word do not match. The examinee reads the words or names the ink colors as quickly as possible within a time limit. Measures selective attention and inhibitory control. The raw scores (total number of words read) for each trial were reported for this measure. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The examinee is instructed to connect a set of 25 dots as quickly as possible while maintaining accuracy. Measures attentional resources and is a measure of the frontal lobe "executive" functions of visual search, set-switching and conceptual flexibility. The total time in seconds was reported for this measure. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The examinee is instructed to connect a set of 25 dots, alternating between numbers and letters, as quickly as possible while maintaining accuracy. Measures attentional resources and is a measure of the frontal lobe "executive" functions of visual search, set-switching and conceptual flexibility. The total time in seconds was reported for this measure. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The d2 Test of Attention consist of 14 lines, each comprised of 47 characters, for a total of 658 items. The examinee must scan each line and cross out all the "d's" with two dashes. The subject is allowed 20 seconds per line. Measures rapid processing of visual information and motor speed.

The examinee is required to recall a list of 12 words over 3 immediate learning trials, a delayed recall trial and a recognition trial. Measures learning and retention of verbal material. The total number of words recalled during the delayed recall trial was reported. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The examinee is required to say as many words as they can think of in one minute that begin with a given letter of the alphabet. The task contains three trials. Measures phonetic verbal fluency. The raw score (total words recorded across the three trials) was reported. Values indicate the change from baseline to week 8, with positive values reflecting higher scores at week 8 and negative values reflecting lower scores at week 8.

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale is a clinician-rated scale used to rate depression severity. The items are rated on either a 5-point (0 to 4) or a 3-point (0 to 2) scale. The 5-point scale uses a rating of 0 (absent), 1 (doubtful to mild), 2 (mild to moderate), 3 (moderate to severe), and 4 (very severe). Higher scores indicate worsening. The responses are summed to yield the HAM-D-21 score that ranges from 0-64.

The CARS-M is a 15-item clinician-rated scale designed to assess severity of both manic and psychotic symptoms. There are 2 subscales: a mania scale and a scale for psychotic symptoms and disorganization. There are a total of 15 items on the CARS-M, each of which is rated on a 6-point Likert scale (0/Absent to 5/Extreme), with the exception of item 15 ("Insight") which is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. These items yield two subscale scores-one for Mania (items 1-10) and one for Psychosis (items 11-15). Higher scores indicate worsening. The responses are summed to yield the CARS-M-15 score that ranges from 0-74.