Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
04:42

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Mental disorders in offspring of parents with bipolar and major depressive disorders

Caroline Vandeleur1, Stéphane Rothen, Mehdi Gholam-Rezaee

  • 1Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospital of Geneva. caroline.vandeleur@chuv.ch

Bipolar Disorders
|September 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Parental bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) increase offspring risk for mood and anxiety disorders. BPD in parents is linked to earlier onset and recurrent MDD in children, highlighting the impact of parental mood disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Parental mental health significantly influences offspring psychopathology.
  • Limited data exists on the specificity of mood disorder subtypes in parents and their impact on offspring mental health.
  • Bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are common parental mood disorders with potential heritable components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between parental mood disorder subtypes (BPD, MDD) and the risk of mental disorders in offspring.
  • To examine the specificity of these associations across different offspring psychopathological outcomes.
  • To explore the impact of parental mood disorder concordance on offspring mental health.

Main Methods:

  • A family study involving 376 offspring (aged 6.0-17.9 years) from parents with BPD, MDD, and control parents.
  • Participants were recruited from two university hospital centers in Switzerland.
  • Semi-structured diagnostic interviews were conducted by psychologists blind to proband diagnoses for probands, offspring, and biological co-parents.

Main Results:

  • Offspring of BPD and MDD probands showed elevated rates of mood and anxiety disorders compared to controls.
  • Recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) was significantly more frequent in offspring of BPD probands than controls.
  • Parental concordance for bipolar spectrum disorders was associated with a marked increase in mood disorder rates among offspring.

Conclusions:

  • Parental mood disorders, particularly BPD, are associated with a broad spectrum of psychopathology in offspring.
  • The findings suggest that the episodic nature of BPD may manifest in childhood and adolescence.
  • Early identification and intervention for offspring of parents with mood disorders are crucial.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...