Abstract
BackgroundBipolar disorder types I (BD I) and II (BD II) might present different dysfunctions of the cortex and brainstem, as reflected by the second exteroceptive suppression period of temporalis muscle activity (ES2) under different stimuli of external emotions.MethodsThis study included 30 BD I and 20 BD II patients, and 40 healthy volunteers. All participants were invited to answer the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, the Hypomania Checklist-32, and the Plutchik-van Praag Depression inventory, as well as to undergo the ES2 test under external emotional-stimuli (emotional pictures plus sounds) of Disgust, Erotica, Fear, Happiness, and Sadness.ResultsThe scale scores were elevated in both patient groups, but were not correlated with ES2 parameters. Compared to healthy controls, BD I showed prolonged ES2 latency under Erotica, and their perceived happiness and sadness intensities were negatively correlated with the respective ES2 durations, while BD II showed prolonged ES2 latencies under Disgust and Happiness, and shortened ES2 durations under Disgust, Happiness and Sadness. Moreover, ES2 duration under Sadness was significantly shorter in BD II than that in BD I.ConclusionsThe cortico-brainstem inhibitory dysfunctions in BD I and BD II was different, and this difference was independent of the patient’s ongoing emotions. Our study thus provides some hints to distinguish the two types of bipolar disorders.
Highlights
Bipolar disorder types I (BD I) and Bipolar II (II) (BD II) might present different dysfunctions of the cortex and brainstem, as reflected by the second exteroceptive suppression period of temporalis muscle activity (ES2) under different stimuli of external emotions
The mean The Plutchik-van Praag Depression inventory (PVP) scores were significantly different among the three groups (F [2, 87] = 53.47, p < .001, mean square effect (MSE) = 1881.66), with that of the BD II group being higher than those of the BD I (p < .05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 12.90 ~ 19.35) and control (p < .05, 95% CI = 6.14 ~ 9.11) groups
In the current study, after controlling for age, gender and education level factors, we found that patients with BD II scored significantly higher than the healthy volunteers and patients with BD I did on PVP; patients with BD I scored significantly higher than the healthy volunteers and patients with BD II did on Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Summary
Bipolar disorder types I (BD I) and II (BD II) might present different dysfunctions of the cortex and brainstem, as reflected by the second exteroceptive suppression period of temporalis muscle activity (ES2) under different stimuli of external emotions. Bipolar disorder is generally characterized by alternating mood episodes of opposite polarity, the emotional highs (mania or hypomania) or lows (depression) or the mixed states. These clinical symptoms vary between the two major types of this disease, namely, bipolar disorder type I (BD I) and type II (BD II), as well as between individuals [1]. BD I patients presented increased sexual thoughts, desire, and activity [15, 16], while BD II patients often displayed diminished libido and sexual dysfunction [17]. The neurophysiological evidence has demonstrated higher ratios of P50 cerebral potential in BD I patients with and without a history of psychosis than those in BD II patients [20]
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