Autorhythmometry in manic-depressives.
Three manic-depressives were studied longitudinally. Several times a day, the patients measured and recorded their mood, vigor, oral temperature, finger counting, blood pressure, pulse rate, and urine volume. Then the acrophases of their circadian rhythms were computed by a least-squares fit. These patients displayed rhythm phases that were grossly abnormal. Systematic acrophase changes over time supported the hypothesis that manic-depressives have circadian rhythms that free-run faster than one cycle per 24 hrs. Lithium appeared to slow these rhythms and help the environmental synchronizer force physiological functions to coordinate better with the usual 24-h environmental cycles.
D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000652:urine; D015068:17-Ketosteroids / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000652:urine; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001831:Body Temperature; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011674:Pulse
D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D015068:17-Ketosteroids; D008094:Lithium