Hypersomnia and Bipolar Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of proportion

Moderating effect of shift work on sleep and depression in individuals at high risk of bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Social Zeitgeber Theory posits that disruptions in social rhythms can increase susceptibility to bipolar disorder (BD). Shift work (SW) is one of the external factors that cause instability in social rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle. This study evaluated the moderating influences of SW on the risks of BD and sleep-related parameters and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, we evaluated the specific work schedules including daytime, nighttime, and regular and irregular rotating SW.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to 6665 participants, with 3379 (50.7 %) classified as individuals with high scores of Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). The survey included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

RESULTS

A multivariate regression model revealed significant interactive effects of MDQ positivity and SW on PSQI, ISI, and CES-D scores, but not ESS scores. In a secondary analysis of the high MDQ screen group, daytime workers had lower scores in sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms compared to those engaged in other forms of SW.

LIMITATIONS

Online surveys were accessible voluntarily, leading to potential selection bias. Cross-sectional data identified associations, not causal relationships. Only a self-reported questionnaire was used.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings emphasize the advantages of a daytime work schedule for individuals at high risk of BD. In accordance with the principles of social rhythm interpersonal therapy, sleep interventions for individuals at high risk of BD should include the maintenance of a consistent daytime schedule.

A narrative review on insomnia and hypersomnolence within Major Depressive Disorder and bipolar disorder: A proposal for a novel psychometric protocol

Sleep disorders have become increasingly prevalent, with many adults worldwide reporting sleep dissatisfaction. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) are common conditions associated with disrupted sleep patterns such as insomnia and hypersomnolence. These sleep disorders significantly affect the progression, severity, treatment, and outcome of unipolar and bipolar depression. While there is evidence of a connection between sleep disorders and depression, it remains unclear if sleep features differ between MDD and BD. In light of this, this narrative review aims to: (1) summarize findings on common sleep disorders like insomnia and hypersomnolence, strongly linked to MDD and BD; (2) propose a novel psychometric approach to assess sleep in individuals with depressive disorders. Despite insomnia seems to be more influent in unipolar depression, while hypersomnolence in bipolar one, there is no common agreement. So, it is essential adopting a comprehensive psychometric protocol for try to fill this gap. Understanding the relationship between sleep and MDD and BD disorders are crucial for effective management and better quality of life for those affected.

Sleep, mood disorders, and the ketogenic diet: potential therapeutic targets for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are serious psychiatric conditions that cause a significant reduction in quality of life and shortened life expectancy. Treatments including medications and psychosocial support exist, but many people with these disorders still struggle to participate in society and some are resistant to current therapies. Although the exact pathophysiology of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia remains unclear, increasing evidence supports the role of oxidative stress and redox dysregulation as underlying mechanisms. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species generated by metabolic processes and antioxidant systems that can cause damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Sleep is a critical regulator of metabolic homeostasis and oxidative stress. Disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms contribute to the onset and progression of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and these disorders often coexist with sleep disorders. Furthermore, sleep deprivation has been associated with increased oxidative stress and worsening mood symptoms. Dysfunctional brain metabolism can be improved by fatty acid derived ketones as the brain readily uses both ketones and glucose as fuel. Ketones have been helpful in many neurological disorders including epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Recent clinical trials using the ketogenic diet suggest positive improvement in symptoms for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well. The improvement in psychiatric symptoms from the ketogenic diet is thought to be linked, in part, to restoration of mitochondrial function. These findings encourage further randomized controlled clinical trials, as well as biochemical and mechanistic investigation into the role of metabolism and sleep in psychiatric disorders. This narrative review seeks to clarify the intricate relationship between brain metabolism, sleep, and psychiatric disorders. The review will delve into the initial promising effects of the ketogenic diet on mood stability, examining evidence from both human and animal models of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The article concludes with a summary of the current state of affairs and encouragement for future research focused on the role of metabolism and sleep in mood disorders.

[Comorbidity patterns and structure of depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder]

OBJECTIVE

To conduct an exploratory analysis of comorbidity patterns and the structure of depressive episodes among Russian patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional study included 178 patients with mood disorders, of which 78.1% (n=139) were women. The diagnosis of BD was made in 68.0% (n=121) patients, of them 37.1% (n=66) were diagnosed with BD type I. All study participants underwent a structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to verify the clinical diagnosis and identify concomitant mental disorders, and also filled out an electronic case report form. Statistical analysis was performed in RStudio v. 1.4.1717 using the standard R package and the «psych» package.

RESULTS

According to the results of stepwise regression, comorbid diagnoses of panic disorder (OR=5.3; 95% CI 1.9-19.1) and eating disorders (OR=7.7; 95% CI 2.8-27.4) were more associated with BD. In addition, depressive episodes in BD were more associated with symptoms of hypersomnia (OR=2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.3) and psychomotor retardation (OR=3.2; 95% CI 1.5-7.6). Symptoms such as increased appetite (47.1% (n=57) vs 26.3% (n=15); p=0.009), ideas of guilt (92.6% (n=112) vs 7.2% (n=44); p=0.006) and thoughts of self-harm or death (70.2% (n=85) vs 45.6% (n=25); p=0.003) were also nominally more common in depressive episodes within the BD compared to MDD.

CONCLUSIONS

Mood disorders such as BD and MDD have significant differences in the patterns of comorbidity and the structure of depressive episodes, which is important to consider when conducting differential diagnosis of these disorders. The results also indicate the need for a comprehensive diagnostic interview with patients with mood disorders to assess the presence of comorbid mental disorders during life and the structure of depressive episodes throughout the clinical course from the moment of onset.

Kleine-Levin syndrome is associated with birth difficulties and genetic variants in the TRANK1 gene loci

Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder characterized by severe episodic hypersomnia, with cognitive impairment accompanied by apathy or disinhibition. Pathophysiology is unknown, although imaging studies indicate decreased activity in hypothalamic/thalamic areas during episodes. Familial occurrence is increased, and risk is associated with reports of a difficult birth. We conducted a worldwide case-control genome-wide association study in 673 KLS cases collected over 14 y, and ethnically matched 15,341 control individuals. We found a strong genome-wide significant association (rs71947865, Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.48, P = 8.6 × 10^-9) within the 3'region of TRANK1 gene locus, previously associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Strikingly, KLS cases with rs71947865 variant had significantly increased reports of a difficult birth. As perinatal outcomes have dramatically improved over the last 40 y, we further stratified our sample by birth years and found that recent cases had a significantly reduced rs71947865 association. While the rs71947865 association did not replicate in the entire follow-up sample of 171 KLS cases, rs71947865 was significantly associated with KLS in the subset follow-up sample of 59 KLS cases who reported birth difficulties (OR = 1.54, P = 0.01). Genetic liability of KLS as explained by polygenic risk scores was increased (pseudo R ² = 0.15; P < 2.0 × 10^-22 at P = 0.5 threshold) in the follow-up sample. Pathway analysis of genetic associations identified enrichment of circadian regulation pathway genes in KLS cases. Our results suggest links between KLS, circadian regulation, and bipolar disorder, and indicate that the TRANK1 polymorphisms in conjunction with reported birth difficulties may predispose to KLS.

Maternal sleep duration and neonatal birth weight: the Japan Environment and Children's Study

BACKGROUND

The adequate maternal sleep duration required for favorable obstetric outcomes is unknown. We evaluated the association between maternal sleep duration and low birth weight infants, small for gestational age infants, and macrosomia.

METHODS

Participants enrolled in the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a nationwide birth cohort study, with singleton pregnancies after 22 weeks, who gave birth between 2011 and 2014 were enrolled and categorized into five groups according to maternal sleep duration during pregnancy: < 6.0 h, 6.0-7.9 h, 8.0-8.9 h, 9.0-9.9 h, and 10.0-12.0 h. We evaluated the association between maternal sleep duration and the incidence of low birth weight infants (< 2500 g), very low birth weight infants (< 1500 g), small for gestational age infants, and macrosomia (> 4000 g), with women with maternal sleep duration of 6.0-7.9 h as the reference, using a multiple logistic regression model.

RESULTS

In total, 82,171 participants were analyzed. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for low birth weight infants in women with maternal sleep duration of 9.0-9.9 h and 10.0-12.0 h and for small for gestational age infants in women with maternal sleep duration of 9.0-9.9 h were 0.90 (0.83-0.99), 0.86 (0.76-0.99), and 0.91 (0.82-0.99), respectively, before adjusting for excessive gestational weight gain. No significant association was observed between maternal sleep duration and these outcomes after adjusting for excessive gestational weight gain. Among women with appropriate gestational weight gain, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for low birth weight infants and for small for gestational age infants with sleep duration of 9.0-9.9 h were 0.88 (0.80-0.97) and 0.87 (0.78-0.97), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal sleep duration of 9.0-9.9 h was significantly associated with the decreased incidence of low birth weight infants and small for gestational age infants in pregnant women with appropriate gestational weight gain, compared with that of 6.0-7.9 h. Care providers should provide proper counseling regarding the association between maternal sleep duration and neonatal birth weight and suggest comprehensive maternal lifestyle modifications to prevent low birth weight and small for gestational age infants.

Bipolar disorders

Bipolar disorders are a complex group of severe and chronic disorders that includes bipolar I disorder, defined by the presence of a syndromal, manic episode, and bipolar II disorder, defined by the presence of a syndromal, hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode. Bipolar disorders substantially reduce psychosocial functioning and are associated with a loss of approximately 10-20 potential years of life. The mortality gap between populations with bipolar disorders and the general population is principally a result of excess deaths from cardiovascular disease and suicide. Bipolar disorder has a high heritability (approximately 70%). Bipolar disorders share genetic risk alleles with other mental and medical disorders. Bipolar I has a closer genetic association with schizophrenia relative to bipolar II, which has a closer genetic association with major depressive disorder. Although the pathogenesis of bipolar disorders is unknown, implicated processes include disturbances in neuronal-glial plasticity, monoaminergic signalling, inflammatory homoeostasis, cellular metabolic pathways, and mitochondrial function. The high prevalence of childhood maltreatment in people with bipolar disorders and the association between childhood maltreatment and a more complex presentation of bipolar disorder (eg, one including suicidality) highlight the role of adverse environmental exposures on the presentation of bipolar disorders. Although mania defines bipolar I disorder, depressive episodes and symptoms dominate the longitudinal course of, and disproportionately account for morbidity and mortality in, bipolar disorders. Lithium is the gold standard mood-stabilising agent for the treatment of people with bipolar disorders, and has antimanic, antidepressant, and anti-suicide effects. Although antipsychotics are effective in treating mania, few antipsychotics have proven to be effective in bipolar depression. Divalproex and carbamazepine are effective in the treatment of acute mania and lamotrigine is effective at treating and preventing bipolar depression. Antidepressants are widely prescribed for bipolar disorders despite a paucity of compelling evidence for their short-term or long-term efficacy. Moreover, antidepressant prescription in bipolar disorder is associated, in many cases, with mood destabilisation, especially during maintenance treatment. Unfortunately, effective pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorders are not universally available, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. Targeting medical and psychiatric comorbidity, integrating adjunctive psychosocial treatments, and involving caregivers have been shown to improve health outcomes for people with bipolar disorders. The aim of this Seminar, which is intended mainly for primary care physicians, is to provide an overview of diagnostic, pathogenetic, and treatment considerations in bipolar disorders. Towards the foregoing aim, we review and synthesise evidence on the epidemiology, mechanisms, screening, and treatment of bipolar disorders.

Inactograms and objective sleep measures as means to capture subjective sleep problems in patients with a bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Sleep problems are common in bipolar disorders (BDs). To objectively characterize these problems in BDs, further methodological development is needed to capture subjective insomnia.

AIM

To test psychometric properties of the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and associations with actigraphy-derived measures, applying modifications in actigraphy data processing to capture features of perturbed sleep in patients with a BD.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients completed the AIS and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, self-report (QIDS-SR-16). Locomotor activity was continuously recorded by wrist actigraphy for ≥10 consecutive days. We computed the sleep onset/offset, the center of daily inactivity (CenDI), as a proxy for chronotype, and the degree of consolidation of daily inactivity (ConDI), as a proxy for sleep-wake rhythm strength.

RESULTS

AIS showed good psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84; test-retest correlation = 0.84, P<.001). Subjective sleep problems correlated moderately with a later sleep phase (CenDI with AIS rho = 0.34, P = .003), lower consolidation (ConDI with AIS rho = -0.22, P = .05; with QIDS-SR-16 rho = -0.27, P = .019), later timing of sleep offset (with AIS rho = 0.49, P = ≤.001, with QIDS-SR-16 rho = 0.36, P = .002), and longer total sleep (with AIS rho = 0.29, P = .012, with QIDS-SR-16 rho = 0.41, P = ≤.001). While AIS was psychometrically more solid, correlations with objective sleep were more consistent across time for QIDS-SR-16.

CONCLUSIONS

AIS and QIDS-SR-16 are suitable for clinical screening of sleep problems among patients with a BD. Subjective insomnia associated with objective measures. For clinical and research purposes, actigraphy and data visualization on inactograms are useful for accurate longitudinal characterization of sleep patterns.

What is bipolar disorder? A disease model of dysregulated energy expenditure

Advances in the understanding and management of bipolar disorder (BD) have been slow to emerge. Despite notable recent developments in neurosciences, our conceptualization of the nature of this mental disorder has not meaningfully progressed. One of the key reasons for this scenario is the continuing lack of a comprehensive disease model. Within the increasing complexity of modern research methods, there is a clear need for an overarching theoretical framework, in which findings are assimilated and predictions are generated. In this review and hypothesis article, we propose such a framework, one in which dysregulated energy expenditure is a primary, sufficient cause for BD. Our proposed model is centered on the disruption of the molecular and cellular network regulating energy production and expenditure, as well its potential secondary adaptations and compensatory mechanisms. We also focus on the putative longitudinal progression of this pathological process, considering its most likely periods for onset, such as critical periods that challenges energy homeostasis (e.g. neurodevelopment, social isolation), and the resulting short and long-term phenotypical manifestations.

Association between affective temperaments and mood features in bipolar disorder II: The role of insomnia and chronobiological rhythms desynchronization

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorders are complex disorders involving the interaction of multiple factors. Affective temperaments, insomnia, and chronobiological rhythms desynchronization may all contribute to bipolar disorder. Since there is a paucity of research examining this topic we aimed to study how they are interrelated and collectively associated with clinical features of bipolar disorder.

METHOD

One-hundred patients with Bipolar Disorder type II depressive episode with and without mixed features were recruited and compared. Subjects were evaluated with SCID -5, the Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) while evaluating depressive (Beck Depression Inventory-BDI-II) and manic (Young Mania Rating Scale-YMRS) symptoms. Logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Subjects with mixed features showed a higher scores in both insomnia and chronobiological rhythms scores. When considering affective temperaments not only depressive, cyclothymic and irritable temperaments predicted mood symptoms but also insomnia (depressive symptoms O.R. 4.17, p = 0.043) and chronobiological sleep de-synchronization (manic symptoms O.R. 8.69, p = 0.001). Insomnia symptoms and chronobiological alterations mediated the association between affective temperaments and mood symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

the cross-sectional design limited any causal interpretation.

CONCLUSION

Subjects with mixed features showed a greater severity of insomnia and chronobiological rhythm de-synchronization compared to subjects without. Insomnia and chronobiological alterations may contribute to mood disorders together with affective temperaments in a complex interplay also mediating their effect on mood. Preventive strategies for bipolars should also act on the dysregulation of sleep and circadian rhythms.

Development and validation of the Hypersomnia Severity Index (HSI): A measure to assess hypersomnia severity and impairment in psychiatric disorders

Hypersomnia is common in psychiatric disorders, yet there are few self-report measures that adequately characterize this sleep disturbance. The objective of this study was to validate the Hypersomnia Severity Index (HSI), a tool designed to measure severity, distress and impairment of hypersomnia in psychiatric populations. Psychometric properties were evaluated in an undergraduate Scale Development sample (N = 381) and two psychiatric Scale Validation samples: euthymic bipolar participants with a range of sleep complaints (N = 89), and unmedicated unipolar depressed participants (N = 21) meeting operational criteria for hypersomnolence disorder. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis in the Scale Development and Validation samples, respectively, suggested a two-factor structure representing Hypersomnia Symptoms and Distress/Impairment best fit the data. Convergent validity was established by significant associations with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Sheehan Disability Scale in both samples. Construct validity was further supported by significant correlations between the Scale Validation sample and two weeks of diary- and actigraphy-determined total sleep time and time in bed. A cutoff score of 10 maximally discriminated between those with hypersomnia and those without. The HSI shows promise as a measure of hypersomnia that is commonly seen in psychiatric disorders, and may be of use to both researchers and clinicians. SUPPORT: This work is supported by grants from the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (76-JF-12), the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (19193), and NIMHK23MH099234 (DTP); National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and Stanford Child Health Research Institute (KAK); and R34MH080958 and R01MH105513 (AGH).

Pharmacological treatment for insomnia in patients with major depressive disorder

INTRODUCTION

Insomnia in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent and associated with increased suffering and functional impairment. Effective, evidence-based treatments for insomnia in MDD are an unmet need in clinical practice.

AREAS COVERED

Herein, the authors provide a review of the clinical correlates, putative neurobiological mechanisms and treatment options for the management of insomnia in individuals with MDD.

EXPERT OPINION

Sleep disturbances in MDD should be recognized as at least one of the following: (1) a domain of depressive psychopathology; (2) a consequence of rhythm disruptions; (3) a manifestation of comorbidities of sleep disturbances; (4) a manifestation of the influence of sex hormones in the brain in MDD; (5) a general medical comorbidity; and (6) a side effect of antidepressant medications. Assessment of insomnia in clinical practices is routinely performed with the use of non-structured interviews. Other methods such as standardized questionnaires and sleep diaries, along with complementary methods such as actigraphy and polysomnography are more scarcely applied. Smartphones and personal devices offer a promising strategy with the use of passive, long lasting, and ecologically valid assessments despite the lack of studies specifically targeting insomnia in individuals with MDD. New therapeutic approaches are essential, including novel targets such as orexins/hypocretins and the endocannabinoid system.