CIRCADIAN-RHYTHM DISORDERS IN MANIC-DEPRESSIVES

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (3) , 335-351
Abstract
Circular manic-depressives (7) were studied through complete cycles of mania and depression. In 5 subjects, there was evidence that a circadian rhythm free-ran fast and in 5 subjects, there was evidence that Li slowed a circadian rhythm. The palliative benefit of Li may derive from slowing or delaying an overfast circadian clock to prevent desynchronization. Two subjects whose circadian clocks seemed too slow were Li nonresponders. As circadian clock frequency may be transmitted on an X-chromosome gene and may increase with age, a circadian etiology is consistent with the genetics and age distribution of manic-depressive illness. Affective disturbances could be evolutionary remnants of the photoperiodic seasonal responses in animals.