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Melatonin secretion patterns are associated with cognitive vulnerability and brain structure in bipolar depression
Elisa M T Melloni1,2, Marco Paolini1,2, Sara Dallaspezia1,2
1Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Chronobiology International
|October 2, 2023
Summary
Bipolar depression is linked to disrupted circadian rhythms and altered melatonin release. This study found associations between melatonin patterns, depressive symptoms, and grey matter integrity in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Circadian rhythm disruption is a key feature of bipolar disorder (BD).
- Altered melatonin secretion patterns are observed in individuals with BD.
- Reductions in grey matter (GM) volume are a documented finding in BD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between melatonin secretion patterns (timing and levels) and depressive psychopathology in bipolar depression.
- To explore the relationship between circadian rhythm markers and brain grey matter integrity in BD.
Main Methods:
- Measured melatonin onset (DLMO) and phase angle difference (PAD) as circadian rhythm markers.
- Analyzed melatonin secretion time course using exponential curve fitting to obtain slope coefficients (SLP).
- Correlated circadian markers and melatonin profiles with depressive psychopathology and GM volumes in specific brain regions.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in PAD and melatonin profiles were observed between healthy controls (HC) and individuals with BD.
- Correlations were found between PAD and depressive psychopathology.
- Melatonin secretion patterns were associated with GM volumes in the Striatum and Supramarginal Gyrus in BD patients.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin secretion patterns serve as a biological marker for circadian synchronization in bipolar depression.
- Findings suggest a novel link between melatonin release, circadian rhythm regulation, and brain structure in BD.
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