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Circadian rhythms and sleep in bipolar disorder
1Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. gwm@swin.edu.au
Bipolar Disorders
|August 18, 2010
Summary
Circadian rhythm disruptions and sleep problems are strongly linked to bipolar disorder. Understanding these biological rhythms offers potential avenues for novel treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Chronobiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Biological rhythm pathways are implicated in bipolar disorder etiology.
- Circadian instability management is part of current treatment guidelines.
- Gaps exist in understanding the link between circadian, sleep, and emotion regulation in bipolar disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To articulate the limits of scientific knowledge regarding the hypothesis linking circadian rhythms, sleep, and emotion regulation in bipolar disorder.
Main Methods:
- Critical evaluation of existing literature.
- Review of basic science on circadian and sleep processes.
- Examination of their role in normal emotion regulation and evidence in bipolar disorder.
Main Results:
- Multiple evidence lines suggest a causal role for circadian and sleep-wake processes in bipolar disorder.
- These processes interact with known neurobiological pathways in bipolar disorder.
- Circadian and sleep processes are uniquely amenable to behavioral manipulation.
Conclusions:
- Further research into biological rhythm pathways for bipolar disorder is necessary.
- Models of circadian pathogenesis and treatment must incorporate person-environment feedback loops.
- Complexity of circadian adaptation requires recognition in future studies.
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