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Viejo-Romero M, Whalley HC, Shen X, Stolicyn A, Smith DJ, Howard DM. An epidemiological study of season of birth, mental health, and neuroimaging in the UK Biobank. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300449. [PMID: 38776272 PMCID: PMC11111058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental exposures during the perinatal period are known to have a long-term effect on adult physical and mental health. One such influential environmental exposure is the time of year of birth which affects the amount of daylight, nutrients, and viral load that an individual is exposed to within this key developmental period. Here, we investigate associations between season of birth (seasonality), four mental health traits (n = 137,588) and multi-modal neuroimaging measures (n = 33,212) within the UK Biobank. Summer births were associated with probable recurrent Major Depressive Disorder (β = 0.026, pcorr = 0.028) and greater mean cortical thickness in temporal and occipital lobes (β = 0.013 to 0.014, pcorr<0.05). Winter births were associated with greater white matter integrity globally, in the association fibers, thalamic radiations, and six individual tracts (β = -0.013 to -0.022, pcorr<0.05). Results of sensitivity analyses adjusting for birth weight were similar, with an additional association between winter birth and white matter microstructure in the forceps minor and between summer births, greater cingulate thickness and amygdala volume. Further analyses revealed associations between probable depressive phenotypes and a range of neuroimaging measures but a paucity of interactions with seasonality. Our results suggest that seasonality of birth may affect later-life brain structure and play a role in lifetime recurrent Major Depressive Disorder. Due to the small effect sizes observed, and the lack of associations with other mental health traits, further research is required to validate birth season effects in the context of different latitudes, and by co-examining genetic and epigenetic measures to reveal informative biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Viejo-Romero
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Heather C. Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Xueyi Shen
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Aleks Stolicyn
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. Smith
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David M. Howard
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Bartoli F. The Diagnostic Concept of Unipolar Mania: The Missing Entity of the Affective Spectrum. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:811-813. [PMID: 37549353 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Although the traditional nosological view interprets mania as strictly connected with depression in the context of manic-depressive illness, unipolar mania (UM), that is, the lifetime occurrence of mania or hypomania in the absence of depression, has been proposed as a necessary diagnostic entity. Epidemiological data estimate that at least 5% of people with type I bipolar disorder never experienced depression. These subjects are more often males with a hyperthymic temperament, a younger age at onset, and more psychotic features. Current classification systems do not formally recognize UM, but different definitions of mania without depression have been proposed. UM should be assessed according to the number of mood episodes, the predominance of manic or hypomanic episodes, and its clinical course. More generally, UM should be considered in the context of an affective spectrum including different clinical phenotypes based on the predominance of depressive or manic symptoms. Additional clinical and epidemiological research in this field is needed.
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Bartoli F, Nasti C, Palpella D, Piacenti S, Di Lella ME, Mauro S, Prestifilippo L, Crocamo C, Carrà G. Characterizing the clinical profile of mania without major depressive episodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of factors associated with unipolar mania. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7277-7286. [PMID: 37016793 PMCID: PMC10719688 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic concept of unipolar mania (UM), i.e. the lifetime occurrence of mania without major depressive episodes, remains a topic of debate despite the evidence accumulated in the last few years. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies testing factors associated with UM as compared to bipolar disorder with a manic-depressive course (md-BD). METHODS Studies indexed up to July 2022 in main electronic databases were searched. Random-effects meta-analyses of the association between UM and relevant correlates yielded odds ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference (SMD), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Based on data from 21 studies, factors positively or negatively associated with UM, as compared to md-BD, were: male gender (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.11-1.94); age at onset (SMD -0.25; 95% CI -0.46 to -0.04); number of hospitalizations (SMD 0.53; 95% CI 0.21-0.84); family history of depression (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.36-0.85); suicide attempts (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.19-0.34); comorbid anxiety disorders (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.26-0.49); psychotic features (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.55-3.00); hyperthymic temperament (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.17-3.40). The quality of evidence for the association with previous suicide attempts was high, moderate for anxiety disorders and psychotic features, and low or very low for other correlates. CONCLUSIONS Despite the heterogeneous quality of evidence, this work supports the hypothesis that UM might represent a distinctive diagnostic construct, with peculiar clinical correlates. Additional research is needed to better differentiate UM in the context of affective disorders, favouring personalized care approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bartoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Christian Nasti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Dario Palpella
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Susanna Piacenti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Elisa Di Lella
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Mauro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Luca Prestifilippo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cristina Crocamo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House 149, London W1T 7BN, UK
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Wikström F, Zeberg H, Mayston R, Backlund L, Fekadu A. Prevalence and characteristics of unipolar mania in a low-income country setting: population-based data from the Butajira cohort, rural Ethiopia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:537-545. [PMID: 36565318 PMCID: PMC10066167 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02399-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous research suggests unipolar mania, i.e., bipolar disorder without depression, to be more common in low-income countries. However, longitudinal population-based studies on unipolar mania from low-income countries are lacking. This study therefore examined unipolar mania, in Butajira, Ethiopia, and associations with possible determinants. METHODS Key informants and 68,378 screenings with the Composite International Diagnostic Interviews (CIDI 2.1) identified suspected cases of bipolar disorder. Diagnosis was confirmed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN 2.1) (n = 2,285). 315 participants with bipolar disorder were recruited and followed up for an average of 2.5 years. Unipolar mania was defined when illness episodes consisted of at least two manic relapses. 240 cases had sufficient data to ascertain course of disorder. RESULTS 41.7% (100 of 240 cases) of participants had unipolar mania. Unipolar mania was associated with less suicidal ideation (0% vs. 26.4%, p < 0.001), less suicidal thoughts (occasionally/often: 1%/3% vs. 19.6%/21%, p < 0.001), and less history of suicide attempt (2% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.01). The participants with unipolar mania tended to have better social functioning (OR = 2.05, p = 0.07) and less alcohol use (20.8% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.07). The study was partly based on retrospective data liable to recall bias. Some cases defined as unipolar mania in our study may later develop depression. CONCLUSION Previous cross-sectional studies finding high proportions of unipolar mania in low-income countries appear supported. Unipolar mania trended towards better social functioning and was associated with lower suicidality. Future unipolar mania specifications could inform treatment and prognostic estimates of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Wikström
- Psychiatry Southwest, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Centre for Global Mental Health, London, UK.
- Inst. for Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Stockholm and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, L8:00, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Hugo Zeberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rosie Mayston
- Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's Global Health Institute, NE Wing, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lena Backlund
- Inst. for Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Stockholm and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, L8:00, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Psychiatric Research and Health Care, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Abebaw Fekadu
- Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Affective Disorders Research Group, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England
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