DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i02.035

Pages: 611-613

Introduction: Impairment in different neuropsychological domains especially executive functions are reported in few studies earlier in unaffected first degree relatives of bipolar affective disorder but the results are not consistent in nature. Studies have indicated that executive functions may have endophenotypic significance considering the amount of genetic similarity with probands. In this study, first degree relatives of bipolar disorder are compared to matched normal controls for executive functioning. Materials and Methods: 20 unaffected FDRs of patients of bipolar affective disorder and matched 20 normal controls were involved in the study for assessment of executive functioning by WCST. Sampling was done by purposive method. After collection of data, analysis was done using statistical methods. Results: Executive function deficits were present in many domains of WCST in FDRs of bipolar affective disorder compared to healthy controls. It was more significant in number of trials administered, total number of errors and percentage of error. Conclusion: Deficits of executive functions may be attributed to degree of genetic similarity and may have endophenotypic significance.