Laboratory-observed behavioral disinhibition in the young offspring of parents with bipolar disorder: a high-risk pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested whether behavioral disinhibition is more prevalent among offspring of parents with bipolar disorder than among offspring of parents without bipolar disorder.


METHODS
The authors conducted a secondary analysis of data from a preexisting high-risk study of offspring at risk for panic disorder and depression (N=278) that had included some children with parents who had bipolar disorder (N=34). Children (ages 2-6) had been classified as behaviorally inhibited, disinhibited, or neither in laboratory assessments.


RESULTS
Offspring of bipolar parents had significantly higher rates of behavioral disinhibition than offspring of parents without bipolar disorder. Behavioral inhibition did not differ between groups. Differences were not accounted for by parental panic disorder or major depression or by parental history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, antisocial personality, or substance use disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest a familial link between bipolar disorder in parents and behavioral disinhibition in their offspring. Behavioral disinhibition may be a familially transmitted predisposing factor for dysregulatory distress later in life.
Hirshfeld-Becker
Dina R
DR
Mass. General Hospital Pediatric Psychopharmacology Program, 185 Alewife Brook Parkway, Suite 2100, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. dhirshfeld@partners.org
Biederman
Joseph
J
Henin
Aude
A
Faraone
Stephen V
SV
Cayton
Gabrielle A
GA
Rosenbaum
Jerrold F
JF
D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors