Circadian rhythm disruption and manic depression link in children
The regulatory gene RORB results in disruption of the body's circadian clock, and a recent research article has linked 4 different variations in the same RORB gene to manic depression (aka bipolar disorder) in children.
The journal BMC Psychiatry reported that a recent test of almost 300 children resulted in the link, leaving the study's scientists to state "Our findings suggest that clock genes in general and RORB in particular may be important candidates for further investigation in the search for the molecular basis of bipolar disorder."
Disrupted circadian rhythms are a major symptom of bipolar disorder, and decreased sleep is often of the earliest problems in pediatric patients. In fact, decreased sleep is one of the symptoms that help doctors tell the difference between a child with bipolar disorder and one with ADHD.
RORB is expressed primarily in the light sensitive feedback areas of the body - the eye, pineal gland and brain. These are the areas of the body that sense light and help to control body functions based on the present time of day or season.
For example: I've used this light sensitive feedback to manipulate estrus (heat) cycles and breeding patterns by exposing male and female horses to artificial light in winter, and changing the body's rhythm. We can then control when these animals are able to reproduce, and even shed their protective winter coats. Humans are able to reproduce all year long, and we do not grow a heavy winter coat in need of shedding in spring, but this gives you an idea of the power of the process. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an example of a human process that is affected by these light sensing tissues.
Bipolar Disorder is a diagnosis being talked about more and more often lately, and it is extremely controversial. This study does seem to add weight to the argument that it may be an issue for those children who test positive for these organic abnormalities. Of course, it also adds many more questions as well.
Does this mean that disrupted circadian rhythms can cause bipolar disorder in children? Might it mean that there is a similar link in adults as well? What about other closely linked diseases and disorders like Migraine?
As health activists from various groups, what have you seen discussed concerning disrupted circadian rhythms and various disorders? Is there other evidence I've missed that physically link genes such as RORB and other health concerns?
No definitive proof of cause was able to be determined with this small study, but it is most certainly another piece to the exquisitely detailed puzzles that are the human brain and the human body.
Further reading:
MedPage Today
The Medical News
Join in the discussion:
Disrupted circadian rhythms, sleep and bipolar disorder
The journal BMC Psychiatry reported that a recent test of almost 300 children resulted in the link, leaving the study's scientists to state "Our findings suggest that clock genes in general and RORB in particular may be important candidates for further investigation in the search for the molecular basis of bipolar disorder."
Disrupted circadian rhythms are a major symptom of bipolar disorder, and decreased sleep is often of the earliest problems in pediatric patients. In fact, decreased sleep is one of the symptoms that help doctors tell the difference between a child with bipolar disorder and one with ADHD.
RORB is expressed primarily in the light sensitive feedback areas of the body - the eye, pineal gland and brain. These are the areas of the body that sense light and help to control body functions based on the present time of day or season.
For example: I've used this light sensitive feedback to manipulate estrus (heat) cycles and breeding patterns by exposing male and female horses to artificial light in winter, and changing the body's rhythm. We can then control when these animals are able to reproduce, and even shed their protective winter coats. Humans are able to reproduce all year long, and we do not grow a heavy winter coat in need of shedding in spring, but this gives you an idea of the power of the process. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an example of a human process that is affected by these light sensing tissues.
Bipolar Disorder is a diagnosis being talked about more and more often lately, and it is extremely controversial. This study does seem to add weight to the argument that it may be an issue for those children who test positive for these organic abnormalities. Of course, it also adds many more questions as well.
Does this mean that disrupted circadian rhythms can cause bipolar disorder in children? Might it mean that there is a similar link in adults as well? What about other closely linked diseases and disorders like Migraine?
As health activists from various groups, what have you seen discussed concerning disrupted circadian rhythms and various disorders? Is there other evidence I've missed that physically link genes such as RORB and other health concerns?
No definitive proof of cause was able to be determined with this small study, but it is most certainly another piece to the exquisitely detailed puzzles that are the human brain and the human body.
Further reading:
MedPage Today
The Medical News
Join in the discussion:
Disrupted circadian rhythms, sleep and bipolar disorder
Tags: bipolar, children, circadian rhythm, gene, internal clock, manic depression, migraine, rorb
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