“Verbal Memory Impairment Increases Risk of Psychiatric Hospitalization, According to New Study”

New research suggests that patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression may be at risk of hospitalization or readmission to a psychiatric ward if they have impaired verbal memory. The study, conducted by the University of Copenhagen and the Neurobiological Research Unit at Rigshospitalet, followed 518 patients over several years and used previous cognitive tests to determine the effects of verbal memory and executive functions on the risk of hospitalization. The study found that patients with impaired verbal memory had an 84% increased risk of being admitted to a psychiatric ward, potentially due to difficulties remembering medication and coping with everyday life. While impaired executive function did not significantly affect the risk of hospitalization, it was associated with a 51% reduction in the likelihood of achieving higher education levels. The study highlights the importance of addressing cognitive impairment in psychiatric treatment and calls for new treatment approaches for patients with persistent memory problems. The study, titled ‘Association of neurocognitive function with psychiatric hospitalisation and socio-demographic conditions in individuals with bipolar and major depressive disorders’, was published in the Lancet journal eClinicalMedicine.