Inherited activity traits linked to bipolar disorder identified
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In the first study of its kind, researchers have identified a dozen inherited traits related to sleep, awake and activity cycles that are associated with severe bipolar disorder.
Researchers also were able to tie the traits to specific chromosomes, providing important clues to the genetic nature of the disorder, as well as potential new avenues for prevention and treatment.
"We were able to identify 13 sleep and activity measures, most of which are inherited, that correlated with whether an individual had bipolar disorder. In addition, we were able to trace some of these traits to a specific chromosome," said Joseph Takahashi from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in th US.
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, causes dramatic mood shifts - often called episodes - in which the person is overly excited, extremely sad or depressed, or a mixed state of both, including irritable or explosive behaviour.
Causes of bipolar disorder (BP) are thought to be both genetic and environmental, and researchers have long suspected that disruption in normal daily circadian rhythms, including sleep and wake cycles, can precede mood shifts.
Researchers also were able to tie the traits to specific chromosomes, providing important clues to the genetic nature of the disorder, as well as potential new avenues for prevention and treatment.
"We were able to identify 13 sleep and activity measures, most of which are inherited, that correlated with whether an individual had bipolar disorder. In addition, we were able to trace some of these traits to a specific chromosome," said Joseph Takahashi from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in th US.
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, causes dramatic mood shifts - often called episodes - in which the person is overly excited, extremely sad or depressed, or a mixed state of both, including irritable or explosive behaviour.
Causes of bipolar disorder (BP) are thought to be both genetic and environmental, and researchers have long suspected that disruption in normal daily circadian rhythms, including sleep and wake cycles, can precede mood shifts.
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