Rapid cycling bipolar disorder after left temporal polar damage.
The case of a 48-year-old woman with rapid cycling bipolar disorder subsequent to a traumatic brain injury is reported. Both depressive and manic episodes had an average duration of approximately 1 month, alternating without stable euthymic periods. Neuroradiological examinations revealed a circumscribed lesion in the left temporal pole. After 1 year without treatment, psychiatric intervention and pharmacotherapy was initiated. Her mood swings were successfully treated with the co-administration of valproate and lithium. Case reports of rapid cycling bipolar disorder after traumatic brain injury are very rare and this case supports the idea that temporal polar dysfunction is a candidate for the neurobiological basis of rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
Murai
Toshiya
T
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. murai@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Fujimoto
Shinsuke
S
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000293:injuries