Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity as a neuroimaging biomarker in first-episode schizophrenia.

Background and objective: Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD), a fully automated diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) biomarker of white matter (WM) microstructure damage, has been shown to be associated with cognition in various WM pathologies. However, its application in schizophrenic disease remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate PSMD along with other DTI markers in first-episode schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls (HCs), and explore the correlations between these metrics and clinical characteristics. Methods: A total of 56 first-episode drug-naive schizophrenia patients and 64 HCs were recruited for this study. Participants underwent structural imaging and DTI, followed by comprehensive clinical assessments, including the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for patients and cognitive function tests for all participants. We calculated PSMD, peak width of skeletonized fractional anisotropy (PSFA), axial diffusivity (PSAD), radial diffusivity (PSRD) values, skeletonized average mean diffusivity (MD), average fractional anisotropy (FA), average axial diffusivity (AD), and average radial diffusivity (RD) values as well as structural network global topological parameters, and examined between-group differences in these WM metrics. Furthermore, we investigated associations between abnormal metrics and clinical characteristics. Results: Compared to HCs, patients exhibited significantly increased PSMD values (t = 2.467, p = 0.015), decreased global efficiency (Z = -2.188, p = 0.029), and increased normalized characteristic path length (lambda) (t = 2.270, p = 0.025). No significant differences were observed between the groups in the remaining metrics, including PSFA, PSAD, PSRD, average MD, FA, AD, RD, local efficiency, normalized cluster coefficient, small-worldness, assortativity, modularity, or hierarchy (p > 0.05). After adjusting for relevant variables, both PSMD and lambda values exhibited a significant negative correlation with reasoning and problem-solving scores (PSMD: r = -0.409, p = 0.038; lambda: r = -0.520, p = 0.006). No statistically significant correlations were observed between each PANSS score and the aforementioned metrics in the patient group (p > 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that increased PSMD (ß = -0.426, t = -2.260, p = 0.034) and increased lambda (ß = -0.490, t = -2.994, p = 0.007) were independently associated with decreased reasoning and problem-solving scores respectively ( R a d j 2 = 0.295, F = 2.951, p = 0.029). But these significant correlations did not withstand FDR correction (p_FDR > 0.05). Conclusion: PSMD can be considered as a valuable neuroimaging biomarker that complements conventional diffusion measurements for investigating abnormalities in WM microstructural integrity and cognitive functions in schizophrenia.

Corrigendum: Neurophysiological hallmarks of Huntington's disease progression: an EEG and fMRI connectivity study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1270226.].

Crucial role of Snf7-3 in synaptic function and cognitive behavior revealed by conventional and conditional knockout mouse models.

Snf7-3 is a crucial component of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway, playing a vital role in endolysosomal functions. To elucidate the role of Snf7-3 in vivo, we developed conventional-like and conditional Snf7-3 knockout (KO) mouse models using a "Knockout-first" strategy. Conventional-like Snf7-3 KO mice showed significantly reduced Snf7-3 mRNA expression, and older mice (25-40 weeks) exhibited impaired social recognition and increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Conversely, conditional KO mice aged 8-24 weeks, with Snf7-3 specifically deleted in forebrain excitatory neurons, displayed impaired object location memory and elevated mEPSC frequency. Enhanced dendritic complexity was observed in the medial prefrontal cortex of these mice, indicating early synaptic disturbances. Our findings underscore the critical role of Snf7-3 in maintaining normal cognitive functions and social behaviors. The observed synaptic and behavioral deficits in both conventional-like and conditional KO mice highlight the importance of Snf7-3 in specific neuronal populations, suggesting that early synaptic changes could precede more pronounced cognitive impairments.

Activation of D2-like dopamine receptors improves the neuronal network and cognitive function of PPT1KI mice.

Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) is a lysosomal depalmitoylation enzyme that mediates protein posttranslational modifications. Loss-of-function mutation of PPT1 causes a failure of the lysosomal degradation of palmitoylated proteins and results in a congenital disease characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration referred to as infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL). A mouse knock-in model of PPT1 (PPT1-KI) was established by introducing the R151X mutation into exon 5 of the PPT1 gene, which exhibited INCL-like pathological lesions. We previously reported that hippocampal γ oscillations were impaired in PPT1 mice. Hippocampal γ oscillations can be enhanced by selective activation of the dopamine D4 receptor (DR4), a dopamine D2-like receptor. In this study, we investigated the changes in DR expression and the effects of dopamine and various DR agonists on neural network activity, cognition and motor function in PPT1KI mice. Cognition and motor defects were evaluated via Y-maze, novel object recognition and rotarod tests. Extracellular field potentials were elicited in hippocampal slices, and neuronal network oscillations in the gamma frequency band (γ oscillations) were induced by perfusion with kainic acid (200 nM). PPT1KI mice displayed progressive impairments in γ oscillations and hippocampus-related memory, as well as abnormal expression profiles of dopamine receptors with preserved expression of DR1 and 3, increased membrane expression of DR4 and decreased DR2 levels. The immunocytochemistry analysis revealed the colocalization of PPT1 with DR4 or DR2 in the soma and large dendrites of both WT and PPT1KI mice. Immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction between PPT1 and DR4 or DR2. The impaired γ oscillations and cognitive functions were largely restored by the application of exogenous dopamine, the selective DR2 agonist quinpirole or the DR4 agonist A412997. Furthermore, the administration of A412997 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly upregulated the activity of CaMKII in the hippocampus of 5-month-old PPT1KI mice. Collectively, these results suggest that the activation of D2-like dopamine receptors improves cognition and network activity in PPT1KI mice and that specific DR subunits may be potential targets for the intervention of neurodegenerative disorders, such as INCL.

A Review of Binaural Bates and the Brain.

Binaural beat (BB), as a non-invasive auditory beat stimulation type, has found its potential applications in cognitive domains. This review presents a proper summary to deepen our understanding of the soundness of the BB technique by looking into its applications, possible mechanisms of action, effectiveness, limitations, and potential side effects. BB has been claimed to improve cognitive and psychological functions such as memory, attention, stress, anxiety, motivation, and confidence. We have also looked into preclinical and clinical research studies that have been performed using BB and proposed changes in the brain following the application of BB stimulations, including EEG changes. This review also presents applications outside the cognitive domain and evaluates BB as a possible treatment method.

Examination of Excessive Mind-Wandering Following Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment in Adults.

Although mind-wandering (MW) is a part of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the impact of psychostimulants on excessive MW remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate how psychostimulants impact the MW of adult ADHD patients post treatment. This cross-sectional cohort study consisted of 54 randomly selected ADHD patients who applied to our psychiatry outpatient clinic and 40 healthy controls. The ADHD patients were administered methylphenidate or atomoxetine. A Semi-Structured Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS) were applied. Routine psychiatric assessments in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of pharmacological treatment were carried out by a psychiatrist. The pre-treatment MEWS score of the ADHD patients was 26.09 ± 1.92, which significantly decreased to 12.78 ± 2.54 post-treatment (F = 715.250, p < .001). A statistically significant difference was identified between the mean pre-treatment ASRS total score (44.07 ± 10.09) and post-treatment score (27.34 ± 11.22; F = 50.364, p < .001). A lifetime history of alcohol/substance use was positively associated with the MEWS score. ADHD pharmacotherapy led to significant reductions in MW. Recognizing the interaction between MW and ADHD could help in the design of more specific and comprehensive interventions.

Understanding treatment preferences and cognitive outcomes in patients with gliomas.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding how glioma patients value cognitive outcomes is essential to personalizing their treatment plans. The purpose of this study was to identify the modifiable cognitive functions most affected by treatment and most important to patient quality of life. METHODS: Patients with gliomas were prospectively enrolled in focus groups and individual interviews using a standardized guide focusing on cognitive functions until saturation was achieved. Patient values and treatment preferences were elicited and compared to the frequency of reported deficits. NVivo natural language processing software was used to perform thematic qualitative analyses. Quantitative analysis with Fischer's exact test was used for each cognitive function to assess for an association between experiencing a deficit and rating that function as important to quality of life. RESULTS: Twenty participants participated, of whom 60% were female. Racial identification consisted of 75% White, 15% Black/African American, and 10% Other Racial Identification. The cognitive functions most essential to the quality of life in this cohort were sense of self (80% of participants), memory (70% of participants), and communication (25% of participants). The functions that experienced the most deficits because of treatment were memory (65% of participants), concentration (65% of participants), and special senses (40% of participants). "Dealbreakers" to treatment were complete loss of independence, sense of self, and/or the ability to interact with loved ones. Fischer's exact test showed no associations between experiencing a cognitive function deficit and rating that function as important to quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Glioma patients in this study prioritized cognitive functions according to memory, personal identity, and their ability to communicate with loved ones independently of experiencing deficits in these functions. Further study should compare patient prioritization and decision-making between surgically curable and noncurable grade gliomas as well as investigate the quality of life benefits of incorporating the connectomics of highly valued cognitive functions in surgical planning.

The presence of cognitive impairments in the acute phase of traumatic upper limb injuries: A cross-sectional observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive impairments and traumatic upper limb injuries of the acute phase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with three groups: a nerve-injury group, a without nerve injury group, and a control group (uninjured participants). Demographic characteristics (e.g. age, sex, body mass index, and education) and traumatic characteristics (duration since injury, injury side, pain, light touch sensation, hand motor function) were recorded. Short-term memory and executive functions were assessed using Rey Auditory and Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT, including SIECT and SIECN), respectively. RESULTS: The study comprised 43 participants in the nerve-injury group, 30 participants in the group without nerve injury, and 104 participants in the control group. Generalized linear model was applied to explore the difference of cognitive functions among three groups with impactors. Significantly poorer performance on the RAVLT was observed in the nerve-injury group compared to the other two groups, and lower score of SIECT in nerve-injury group was lower compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference of SIECN among three groups. In addition, traumatic characteristics did not significantly impact RAVLT and SIECT (p > 0.05) in all injured participants. CONCLUSION: Traumatic nerve injury to the upper limb appears to be associated with both short-term memory and executive function impairment, whereas musculoskeletal injuries without nerve damage showed no cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to monitor cognitive function following upper limb nerve injuries.

Depressive symptoms, cognitive functions and daily activities: An extended network analysis in monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

BACKGROUND: The network theory posits that depression emerges as the result of individual symptoms triggering each other. Risk factors for depression can impact these between-symptoms interactions through extended networks. The study aimed to model the extended network of depressive symptoms and known depression risk factors - objective cognitive function, intellectual, physical, and social daily activities, and then, compare the observed networks between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) co-twins. METHODS: Twin pairs, 722 MZ and 2200 DZ, aged 40-79, were selected from the Dansh Twin Registry for having complete measures of depressive symptoms (e.g., sadness), cognitive functions (e.g., verbal memory), physical (e.g., brisk walk), intellectual (e.g., reading newspapers) and social activities (e.g., phone calls). Gaussian graphical models were used to estimate and compare the networks first between co-twins and then, between MZ to DZ twin pairs separately. RESULTS: Specific intellectual, physical and social activities were central in the extended networks of depressive symptoms and, with the exception of processing speed, more central than cognition. The extended networks' structure was more homogeneous between MZ co-twins relative to DZ co-twins. Cognitive nodes were more central in MZ than DZ co-twins. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, participants were middle-aged or older, mostly affective (non-somatic) depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In depression networks, core connecting elements were intellectual, physical and social activities. The interaction between cognition and daily activities seems critical for triggering depressive symptoms. Thus, clinical interventions aimed at preventing depression and associated cognitive deficits should focus on maintenance and/or engagement in stimulating daily activities.

The characteristics of cognitive and daily living functions of neurocognitive disorders with delusions in elderly Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Delusions in neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) worsen patients' cognitive functions and activities of daily living (ADL), increasing caregiver burden and the risk of mortality. AD patients with delusions tend to experience a more rapid decline in cognition and have demonstrated poorer performance on various cognitive function tests. Considering the prognosis of delusion in AD patients, it tends to be more favorable with appropriate treatment. However, there is a lack of neuropsychological research, specifically examining the impact of delusions in AD, characterized by progressive deterioration of cognitive function. This study investigates the impact of delusions on cognitive function and ADL under conditions controlling for disease severity. Methods: We compared cognitive function and ADL in AD patients aged 65 years or older according to the presence of delusions. To assess longitudinal change, we analyzed data from patients monitored for an average of 15 to 16 months. We assessed cognitive function and ADL using the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-Second Edition (SNSB-II) and delusions using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). We used IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0 for all statistical analyses. The analysis was not adjusted for multiple comparisons. We investigated how delusions impact cognitive function and ADL, controlling for age, educational level, and disease severity. Results: The delusions group exhibited poorer immediate recall of verbal memory than the non-delusions group. In the follow-up evaluation, patients who developed delusions had lower baseline cognitive function than those who did not, and their language fluency declined over time. In addition, we found the presence of delusions associated with worse functional impairment in ADL as the disease progressed. Conclusion: While controlling for the severity of AD, we found no significant negative impacts of delusions on most cognitive functions. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the immediate recall of verbal memory and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT)_animal sensitively detected the negative impact of delusions. Furthermore, since delusions are associated with worsening ADL, we understand that delusion treatment is important for improving the quality of life for patients and caregivers.

Exploring the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health and cognitive functions in older adults.

This study examines whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict long-term health issues and how ACEs, alongside stress, impact well-being and cognitive abilities in older adults. 279 adults were categorized into three age groups (30-46, 47-60, and 61-80). Participants completed an online survey assessing health problems, stress, resilience, and ACEs. Additionally, 32 older adults underwent cognitive tests. ACE scores predicted physical and psychological diseases in adults but not in older adults. However, a significant correlation between ACEs and cognitive abilities was evident in older participants. ACEs are significant indicators of long-term health issues and stress in adults but may not predict these factors in older individuals. Understanding ACEs' impact on cognitive abilities in older adults is crucial for tailored interventions and support.

The Effect of Psychopathology and Cognitive Functions on Caregiver Burden in Patients with Schizophrenia. / Sizofreni Hastalarinda Psikopatoloji ve Bilissel Islevlerin Bakim Veren Yüküne Etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: The caregiver burden in the relatives of patients with schizophrenia increases mental health problems in patients, complicates coping with the illness for families, and adversely affects the course of the illness. This study aims to investigate the effects of patients' psychopathology severity and cognitive functions on caregiver burden. METHOD: Forty-four patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 and their primary caregivers were included in this cross-sectional descriptive study. The severity of the caregiver burden in the relatives of the patients was evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS). Symptom severity of the patients was evaluated with the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Test, Trail Making Test (TMT), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were applied to assess the cognitive functions of the patients. RESULTS: The mean ZCBS score was 47.7±26.9 in the primary caregivers of the patients. There was a significant negative correlation between ZCBS and patients' education level, time since recent hospitalization, and RAVLT scores, and a significant positive correlation between TMT, Stroop Test, and SANS scores. CONCLUSION: To reduce the caregiver burden, psychosocial interventions for cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms involving patients and their families should be considered a priority.

Understanding empathy and De Waal's contribution within the fields of social neurosciences.

This review delves into the remarkable career and scientific contributions of Frans de Waal, a renowned figure in the field of ethology, primatology with important implications for the field of social neurosciences. Rooted in the Dutch tradition of ethology, influenced by luminaries like Niko Tinbergen and Jan Van Hooff, De Waal's career began with groundbreaking research on chimpanzees, which questioned long-held beliefs about dominance and aggression in animal behavior. His work, epitomized in his influential books, such as "Chimpanzee Politics", "The ape and the sushi master", "The age of empathy", not only revolutionized scientific thinking but also ignited discussions about empathy, morality, and complex cognitive functions in animals. De Waal's interdisciplinary approach extended to neuroscience, particularly in understanding empathy, contributing to the development of an original model: the Perception-Action Model (PAM). The fundamental concept of PAM is that even the most intricate forms of empathy stem from basic neural mechanisms of action-perception, such as mirror neurons. Some behavioral phenomena like motor mimicry and emotional contagion arise from a direct neuroanatomical network activity where sensory information about others' emotional states triggers corresponding behavioral responses. Intriguingly, even the most intricate forms of empathy such as concern, consolation and targeted helping, may have evolved from basic neural mechanisms of action-perception.Through these investigations and theoretical explorations, he advocated for a bottom-up approach to comprehending the cognitive abilities of animals. This approach challenged conventional anthropocentric perspectives and underscored the interconnected emotional and cognitive terrain shared among humans and other species. Beyond academia, De Waal's work has profound implications for how we perceive and interact with animals. By debunking notions of human exceptionalism, he highlights the rich tapestry of emotions that bind all living beings. Through his efforts, De Waal has not only advanced our scientific understanding of animal minds but also fostered a more profound appreciation for the depth of emotional connections across species.

Betahistine's Neuroprotective Actions against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neurotoxicity: Insights from Experimental and Computational Studies.

Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists, such as betahistine (BHTE), have shown significant potential in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders due to their neuroprotective properties. This study investigated BHTE's effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neurotoxicity, which is associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Rats were divided into groups and pre-treated with BHTE (5 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days, followed by LPS administration (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 consecutive days to induce neurotoxicity. LPS exposure resulted in cognitive impairment, as evidenced by performance deficits in maze tests, and a significant reduction in brain acetylcholine (ACh) levels. Additionally, LPS led to increased neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Pre-treatment with BHTE effectively counteracted these effects, improving cognitive performance and restoring ACh levels. BHTE significantly reduced LPS-induced increases in pro-inflammatory markers (COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6) while enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß1). Furthermore, BHTE improved mitochondrial function by increasing enzyme levels (MRCC-I, II, and IV) and boosted anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and antioxidant defenses (GSH and catalase). BHTE also reduced apoptosis markers, including pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3, and oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Molecular modeling studies revealed that BHTE effectively binds to key enzymes involved in neuroinflammation and apoptosis (AChE, COX-2, and caspase-3), with binding free energies between 4 and 5 kcal/mol, interacting with critical residues. These findings underscore BHTE's multifaceted neuroprotective effects against LPS-induced neurotoxicity, offering potential therapeutic avenues for managing neuroinflammation and related neurodegenerative disorders.

Whole Plant Extracts for Neurocognitive Disorders: A Narrative Review of Neuropsychological and Preclinical Studies.

The incidence of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease, characterized by a progressive cognitive decline, is rising worldwide. Despite the considerable efforts to unveil the neuropsychological bases of these diseases, there is still an unmet medical need for effective therapies against cognitive deficits. In recent years, increasing laboratory evidence indicates the potential of phytotherapy as an integrative aid to improve cognitive functions. In this review, we describe the data of plant whole extracts or single compounds' efficacy on validated preclinical models and neuropsychological tests, aiming to correlate brain mechanisms underlying rodent behavioral responses to human findings. After a search of the literature, the overview was limited to the following plants: Dioscorea batatas, Ginkgo biloba, Melissa officinalis, Nigella sativa, Olea europaea, Panax ginseng, Punica granatum, and Vitis vinifera. Results showed significant improvements in different cognitive functions, such as learning and memory or visuospatial abilities, in both humans and rodents. However, despite promising laboratory evidence, clinical translation has been dampened by a limited pharmacological characterization of the single bioactive components of the herbal products. Depicting the contribution of the single phytochemicals to the phytocomplex's pharmacological efficacy could enable the comprehension of their potential synergistic activity, leading to phytotherapy inclusion in the existing therapeutic package against cognitive decline.

The role of fatigue in attentional processing in multiple sclerosis: data from event-related potentials.

Fatigue is an extremely common symptom in in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and has a severe impact on quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to verify whether fatigue in PwMS is associated with a selective covert attention impairment, as measured by event-related potentials and to assess whether it is more associated with an impairment of top-down or bottom-up attentional control. Twenty-two PwMS and fatigue-MSF, 17 without fatigue-MSnF and 35 healthy volunteers underwent a three-stimulus P300 novelty task that elicits both the P3a and the P3b components. P3b latency was comparable between groups, but PwMS, independently from the presence of fatigue displayed significantly greater P3b amplitudes. P3a latency was significantly prolonged in MSF alone, while P3a amplitude in MSnF group was greater than controls. MSF were able to categorize the task-relevant target stimulus but the orienting response to a novel salient stimulus was delayed, indicating an impairment in bottom-up attentional control mechanism related to ventral attention network. Fatigue is selectively associated with a covert attentional deficit related to the ability to reallocate attentional resources to salient stimuli, a crucial function of adaptive decision-making behaviour.

Do Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis Affect Memory, Attention, Stress and Emotions?

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are chronic skin diseases found all over the world that cause a lot of suffering to patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to answer the following questions: whether people suffering from psoriasis and AD have greater problems with recognizing emotions, the effectiveness of attention and memory processes, and whether they use different strategies of coping with stress than healthy people. METHODS: This study involved 90 patients, including 30 patients with psoriasis, 30 patients with AD and 30 healthy patients, aged 21 to 63 years, including 54 women and 36 men. This study used a battery of the CANTAB Cognitive Tests, Mini-COPE Questionnaire Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale TAS Questionnaire, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and Eczema Area and Severity Index. RESULTS: People with psoriasis and AD had higher total scores on the alexithymia scale and had greater difficulty in identifying and verbalizing emotions. People with psoriasis and AD are less likely to choose the correct stimulus and achieve a shorter length of the sequence that should be remembered. Psoriasis patients with more severe symptoms are less likely to use the strategy of a sense of humor in stressful situations. AD patients with more severe symptoms are less likely to use strategies of operative thinking, denial and self-blame, and the strategy of seeking instrumental support is used more often. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis and AD require a holistic approach; in addition to dermatological treatment, psychological support, psychotherapeutic support and possible psychiatric treatment are recommended.

Assessment of Cognitive Functions Among Remitted Patients of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Comparative Study.

Introduction Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia exhibit different patterns of cognitive impairment, with schizophrenia demonstrating more profound deficiencies in verbal memory and bipolar disorder in social cognition. Understanding these patterns may guide the development of interventions to enhance cognition in these disorders. Aim This study aims to assess and compare the cognitive abilities of persons diagnosed with bipolar illness and schizophrenia. Methodology A facility-based cross-sectional study was done from December 2016 to June 2017 among 30 schizophrenia and 30 bipolar disorder patients aged 18-45 years, in remission selected after screening through Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), or Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Exclusions included schizoaffective disorder, systemic illness, brain/neurological conditions, and substance abuse. After collecting the baseline demographic and clinical profile of the selected patients, the cognitive domains were assessed such as attention (digit span), verbal memory (Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT)), visual memory (Rey Complex Figure), verbal fluency (Animal Naming), and executive functions (Stroop and Trail Making). The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 16 (Released 2007; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) using standard descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were largely similar between groups. Schizophrenia patients showed poorer attention, working memory, and visual attention/task-switching compared to bipolar patients. Bipolar patients demonstrated relatively preserved abilities in these domains but exhibited more impairments in visual and verbal memory. Distinct patterns highlight unique neurobiological underpinnings, showing association of more generalized cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and more localized impairments in memory functions in bipolar disorder. Conclusion The study findings explain these disorders' unique neurobiological mechanisms and may help develop targeted cognitive remediation and pharmacological interventions to improve functional outcomes and quality of life.