A Possible Trait and Status Marker in Bipolar Disorder: The Electroretinogram-Pattern.

The similarity between retinal cells and neurons of the central nervous system allows non-invasive methods to study retinal function, such as the Electroretinogram-Pattern (PERG) to be postulated as possible biomarkers, useful and safe in the study of psychiatric pathologies such as Bipolar Disorder (BD). The objective of the present study is to characterize the differences in the results in the PERG of patients with BD and healthy subjects, as well as to evaluate a possible correlation between these results and the affective decompensations of the manic pole in the group of bipolar patients.

Un posible marcador de rasgo y estado en el Trastorno Bipolar: el Electrorretinograma-Patrón / A possible trait and status marker in bipolar disorder: the electroretinogrampattern

Introducción. La similitud entre las células retinianas y las neuronas del sistema nervioso central permite que métodos no invasivos de estudio de la función retiniana, como el Electrorretinograma-Patrón (PERG) se postulen como posibles biomarcadores, útiles y seguros en el estudio de patologías psiquiátricas como el Trastorno Bipolar (TB). El objetivo del presente estudio es caracterizar las diferencias en los resultados en el PERG de pacientes con TB y sujetos sanos, así como evaluar una posible correlación entre estos resultados y las descompensaciones afectivas del polo maniaco en el grupo de pacientes bipolares. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal en una muestra de 34 pacientes bipolares en diferentes estados clínicos y 36 controles sanos. Se recogieron las variables independientes: sexo, edad, fármacos y estado clínico, medidas mediante escalas validadas y posteriormente se realizó el PERG obteniendo la variable dependiente de interés, la amplitud media de la onda P50. Resultados. Existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los resultados del PERG entre pacientes con TB y controles, y también entre los diversos estados clínicos de los pacientes con TB. Asimismo, encontramos una correlación negativa entre la gravedad de la manía, y la amplitud media de la onda P50. Conclusiones. Las diferencias encontradas, tanto entre sujetos sanos y pacientes bipolares, como entre los estados afectivos dentro del TB, sugieren que las alteraciones en la función retiniana, medidas mediante PERG, pueden ser un prometedor biomarcador de rasgo y de estado en TB.(AU)

Background. The similarity between retinal cells and neurons of the central nervous system allows non-invasive methods to study retinal function, such as the Electroretinogram-Pattern (PERG) to be postulated as possible biomarkers, useful and safe in the study of psychiatric pathologies such as Bipolar Disorder (BD). The objective of the present study is to characterize the differences in the results in the PERG of patients with BD and healthy subjects, as well as to evaluate a possible correlation between these results and the affective decompensations of the manic pole in the group of bipolar patients. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 34 bipolar patients in different clinical states and 36 healthy controls. The independent variables were collected: sex, age, drugs and clinical status, measured using validated scales and later the PERG was performed, obtaining the dependent variable of interest, the mean amplitude of the P50 wave. Results. There is a statistically significant difference in the PERG results between BD patients and controls, and also between the various clinical states of BD patients. Likewise, we found a negative correlation between the severity of the mania and the mean amplitude of the P50 wave. Conclusions. The differences found, both between healthy subjects and bipolar patients, and between affective states within BD, suggest that alterations in retinal function, measured by PERG, may be a promising biomarker of trait and status in BD.(AU)

Is Hypoesthesia of the Malleolus a Subtle Neurological Sign in Anxiety?

This study examined the presence of neurological soft signs, an accessible diagnostic instrument, in patients with anxiety. Individuals with anxiety were more likely to manifest hypoesthesia than healthy controls, and patients who showed hypoesthesia exhibited greater symptoms of anxiety and depression.