A 3-year prospective study of offspring of patients with bipolar disorder.
We have established a well-characterized baseline sample, which include 160 offspring of bipolar patients and 158 age-sex matched offspring of parents without mood disorders. We have found that the high-risk offspring had higher rates of various mental disorders. High-risk bipolar offspring presented with a constellation of circadian rhythm dysregulation, including late chronotype, circadian rhythm sleep disorder and fragmented diurnal activity patterns.
Several strengths in this established cohort is worthy of noting. Firstly, this is the first bipolar offspring cohort in Asian countries. Secondly, this study has established a set of comprehensive measures for both sleep and circadian rhythm. Finally, overall half of the offspring in this cohort will transit from pre/early puberty to late/post puberty with a follow-up duration of 3 years. This proposed follow up study will provide timely data to understand the temporal relationship among these problems.
Aims:
1) To examine trajectory of the development of mood disorders in a Chinese bipolar cohort;
2) To investigate whether dimension measures at baseline can predict the trajectory of the development of mood disorders in bipolar offspring;
3) To compare the progression of continuous measures on sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances, cognitive function, somatic symptoms, and emotionality between bipolar offspring and offspring of controlled parents.
6-21 years old offspring of bipolar disorder parents (n=120) and age-sex-matched offspring of healthy control (n=120).
All participants:
