Associations of TNF-α, MIF, and cortisol with cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder during acute manic episodes: a short-term follow-up study - Report - MDSpire

Associations of TNF-α, MIF, and cortisol with cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder during acute manic episodes: a short-term follow-up study

  • By

  • Heng Tang

  • Siwei Lin

  • Xiaoxuan Liu

  • Jin Chen

  • Xiaowei Zuo

  • June 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Links Between TNF-α, MIF, and Cortisol Levels and Cognitive Abilities

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between TNF-α, MIF, and cortisol levels with cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder experiencing acute mania.

Background

Bipolar disorder is associated with cognitive impairment that significantly affects patients' quality of life. Understanding the biological underpinnings of cognitive dysfunction, particularly during manic episodes, is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study explores the role of inflammatory and neuroendocrine markers in cognitive abilities among patients with bipolar disorder.

Data Highlights

MeasurementBD Patients (Baseline)HCsBD Patients (Follow-up)
IPS ScoreLowerHigherImproved
EF ScoreLowerHigherImproved
SAT ScoreLowerHigherImproved
WM ScoreLowerHigherImproved
TNF-α LevelsHigherLowerNot Significant
MIF LevelsHigherLowerNot Significant
Cortisol LevelsHigherLowerNot Significant

Key Findings

  • Patients with bipolar disorder during manic episodes exhibited significantly lower cognitive scores compared to healthy controls.
  • Elevated levels of TNF-α, MIF, and cortisol were observed in patients with bipolar disorder.
  • After 8 weeks of treatment, cognitive scores improved significantly in the bipolar disorder group.
  • Only the negative association between TNF-α and working memory remained significant after adjustment for covariates.
  • Associations involving MIF or cortisol and executive function require further validation.

Clinical Implications

Cognitive impairment is a significant aspect of bipolar disorder management.

Conclusion

This study underscores the complex interplay between inflammatory markers and cognitive abilities in bipolar disorder, particularly during acute manic episodes. Further research is needed to validate these associations and explore their clinical relevance.

Related Resources & Content

  1. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Levels of TNF-α in Drug-Naïve Patients Experiencing Their First Episode of Major Depressive Disorder: A Case-Control Analysis and Meta-Study
  2. Frontiers in Psychiatry -- Abnormalcerebral-limbic functional connectivity between bipolar mania and bipolar depression under resting state
  3. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder associated with abnormal serum short-chain fatty acids and cytokines
  4. Clinical practice guidelines on cognitive impairment in bipolar disorders – Assessment and management - PMC
  5. Insights, challenges and new frontiers for cognitive function in bipolar disorder | Nature Mental Health
  6. Association Between Inflammatory Markers and Cognitive Function in Adults With Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review - Coelho - 2026 - Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
  7. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Comparative Analysis of Biochemical Metabolism and Cognitive Abilities in Bipolar I versus Bipolar II Disorder
  8. Clinical practice guidelines on cognitive impairment in bipolar disorders – Assessment and management - PMC
  9. Insights, challenges and new frontiers for cognitive function in bipolar disorder | Nature Mental Health
  10. Association Between Inflammatory Markers and Cognitive Function in Adults With Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review - Coelho - 2026 - Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica - Wiley Online Library
  11. Complete blood count-based inflammatory ratios in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, monocyte-to-lymphocyte, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios | European Psychiatry | Cambridge Core
  12. Inflammation and Cognition in Bipolar Disorder: Diverging Paths of Interleukin-6 and Outcomes - PubMed
  13. Evaluation of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173 G/C variant in bipolar disorder - PubMed
  14. The cortisol axis and psychiatric disorders: an updated review | Pharmacological Reports | Springer Nature Link
  15. Bipolar Disorder: An Update on Neurobiology and Treatment | American Journal of Psychiatry

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