Daily rest-activity patterns in the bipolar phenotype: A controlled actigraphy study

This study assessed daily rest-activity patterns in euthymic, medication-naïve bipolar phenotype individuals. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire was used to identify 19 bipolar phenotype individuals and 21 controls. Participants wore an Actiwatch-L for 2 weeks to assess their sleep behaviour and circadian rest-activity rhythmicity. Bipolar phenotype individuals had increased movement during sleep, as assessed by the fragmentation index, greater activity levels during their least active 5 h (2 am–7 am), and lower circadian relative amplitude compared to controls. Higher activity levels during sleep affecting circadian amplitude in young adults with the bipolar phenotype may be associated with vulnerability for developing mood disorder.