Title:Stretch, Shrink, and Shatter the Rhythms: The Intrinsic Circadian Period in Mania and Depression
Volume: 14
Issue: 8
Author(s): Bruno Jacson Martynhak, Marcela Pereira, Camila Pasquini de Souza and Roberto Andreatini
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antidepressants, bipolar disorder, depression, endogenous circadian period, mania, mood stabilizers.
Abstract: Disturbances in the circadian rhythms have long been associated with depression and
mania. Animal models of mania and depression exhibit differential effects upon the intrinsic circadian
period and the same occurs with antidepressants and mood stabilizers treatment. The intrinsic
circadian period is expressed when there are no time clues or when the light/dark cycle length is
beyond the capacity of synchronization. In summary, while there is no clear association between the
circadian period and mania, depressive-like behaviour is generally associated either with lengthening of the circadian
period or with arrythmicity, and the improvement of depressive-like behaviour is associated with shortening of the
circadian period. Thus, this review is an attempt to summarize data regarding these correlations and find a putative role of
the circadian intrinsic period in mood regulation, particularly concerning the switch from depression to mania.
