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Circadian preference in bipolar disorder
Larriany Maria Falsin Giglio1, Pedro V S Magalhães, Mônica Levy Andersen
1Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory and INCT Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|September 24, 2009
Summary
Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) show a greater tendency towards eveningness, a circadian preference. This evening preference in bipolar disorder is linked to longer sleep latency, potentially explaining sleep-wake cycle disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Circadian rhythm abnormalities are implicated in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD).
- Chronotype, or circadian preference, reflects an individual's natural inclination towards morning or evening activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess circadian preference in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) compared to control subjects.
- To investigate the relationship between circadian preference and sleep patterns in BD.
Main Methods:
- The study included 81 outpatients with BD in remission and 79 healthy controls.
- Circadian preference was assessed using an interview focusing on biological rhythms and sleep patterns, incorporating the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
Main Results:
- Patients with BD were significantly more likely to exhibit an evening preference compared to control subjects.
- Circadian preference was found to be associated with increased sleep latency.
Conclusions:
- The observed evening preference and longer sleep latency in BD patients may contribute to the commonly observed sleep-wake cycle reversals in this population.
- These findings highlight the role of circadian rhythm disturbances in the manifestation of bipolar disorder.
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