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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified: comparison with bipolar disorder I/II and major depression
Peter R Joyce1, Katrina J Light, Sarah L Rowe
1University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand. peter.joyce@chmeds.ac.nz
Objective:
To compare the personality, clinical and comorbidity characteristics of subjects meeting diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BDNOS) to those with major depression and bipolar I or II disorder.
Methods:
A family-based study was undertaken on the molecular genetics of depression and personality, in which the proband had been treated for depression, regardless of history, of hypomania or mania.
Results:
The 25 subjects with BDNOS were different to the 297 subjects with major depression and similar to 75 subjects with bipolar I or II disorder on social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance dependence comorbidity. The BDNOS subjects also had personality traits more akin to the bipolar I or II disorder subjects, especially borderline personality traits and self transcendence.
Conclusions:
Subjects with BDNOS, based on a history of 1-3 day recurrent hypomanias, should be included within a broader bipolar spectrum.
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