Relationship Between the Levels of Nitric Oxide, Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Neurocognitive Functions in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Aim: The current study aimed to explore the association between cognitive functions and serum nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with bipolar disorder. Material and Methods: The study sample was consisted of patients followed by Afyon Kocatepe University Psychiatry Department outpatient clinic. 45 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to DSM-5 criteria and 45 volunteers adjusted for gender, age, and education were included. Sociodemographic Data Form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale were applied to all participants. Neurocognitive functions were assessed with Test of Verbal Memory Processes, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Test and Trail-Making Test. Serum NO and ADMA levels were measured using ELISA kit. Results: It was determined that there was a significant difference (p=0.002) in the family psychiatric family questionnaire between the two matched groups in terms of age, gender and educational status and bipolar disorder in the family of 31% of the patient group. Neuropsychological test scores of patients was statistically lower than control group. Serum ADMA levels of patient group was statistically lower than control group (p=0.001). Statistically significant correlation was found between ADMA levels and spontaneous recall scores (p=0.037), the percent of conceptual level responses (p=0.029), including Stroop Test time scores (p=0.043) and Trail Making Test A time score (p=0.002). Conclusion: According to the results of present study, in patients with bipolar mood disorder, there is deterioration in areas of cognitive such as memory, learning, attention, processing speed, changing strategy and solving problem. It was determined that the impairment is not associated with serum NO level but the scores of spontaneous recall, the percent of conceptual level responses, time to complete the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test A time were determined that the relationship with serum ADMA level