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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
Pregnancy and bipolar disorder: a systematic review
Verinder Sharma1, Carley J Pope
1Regional Mental Health Care London, 850 Highbury Ave North, PO Box 5532, Station B, London ON N6A 4H1, Canada. vsharma@uwo.ca
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|September 4, 2012
Summary
Pregnancy may positively impact bipolar disorder, but recent studies show high recurrence rates after stopping mood stabilizers. More research is needed to understand bipolar disorder during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Psychiatry
- Reproductive Psychiatry
- Mood Disorders
Background:
- The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for bipolar disorder onset or relapse.
- The impact of pregnancy on the course of bipolar disorder remains controversial.
- Existing literature presents conflicting evidence regarding pregnancy's effect on bipolar disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the relationship between pregnancy and bipolar disorder.
- To identify gaps in current research and suggest future research directions.
- To inform perinatal treatment strategies and etiologic understanding of bipolar disorder.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases (up to April 2010).
- Keywords included pregnancy, bipolar disorder, manic depressive disorder, suicide, hospitalization, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy.
- Inclusion of 70 relevant English-language articles identified through database and reference list searches.
Main Results:
- Some studies suggest a positive effect of pregnancy on bipolar disorder, particularly in nonclinical samples and based on hospitalization rates.
- Recent studies from tertiary care centers indicate high rates of bipolar disorder recurrence after mood stabilizer discontinuation during pregnancy.
- Evidence remains mixed, highlighting the complexity of the pregnancy-bipolar disorder relationship.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the pregnancy-bipolar disorder link is crucial for optimizing perinatal care.
- Further research is urgently required to accurately estimate bipolar disorder prevalence in pregnant individuals.
- Future studies should utilize both clinical and nonclinical samples for a comprehensive understanding.
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