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Abnormalities in motor physiology in bipolar disorder.
James B Lohr1, Michael P Caligiuri
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|September 12, 2006
Summary
Patients with bipolar disorder exhibit significant motor control issues, including impaired force steadiness and velocity scaling. These motor abnormalities suggest basal ganglia dysfunction and occur independently of mood state or medication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Motor Physiology
Background:
- Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition.
- Motor disturbances are increasingly recognized as a potential symptom in bipolar disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate motor physiology disturbances in bipolar disorder patients.
- To assess the impact of affective state on motor function in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sensitive instrumental procedures to measure motor functions.
- Assessed 67 individuals with bipolar disorder and 47 healthy controls.
- Employed electromechanical measures for force steadiness and velocity scaling.
Main Results:
- Bipolar disorder patients showed significantly poorer performance in force steadiness and velocity scaling.
- 58% of patients were impaired in force steadiness, 63% in velocity scaling.
- 84% of patients had impairment in at least one measure; 37% in both.
- Abnormalities were independent of affective state and medication status.
Conclusions:
- Motor abnormalities, indicative of basal ganglia dysfunction, are prevalent in bipolar disorder.
- These findings highlight the importance of assessing motor function in bipolar disorder patients.
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