Bipolar affective puerperal psychosis: genome-wide significant evidence for linkage to chromosome 16.
OBJECTIVE
Vulnerability to the triggering of bipolar episodes by childbirth aggregates in families and may define a genetically relevant subtype of bipolar disorder. The authors conducted a search by systematic whole genome linkage scan for loci influencing vulnerability to bipolar affective puerperal psychosis.


METHODS
The authors selected families with bipolar disorder from their previous bipolar disorder genome scan, in which there was at least one family member with a manic or psychotic episode with an onset within 6 weeks of delivery. Individuals were coded as affected if they had been diagnosed with bipolar I disorder; bipolar II disorder; or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, according to DSM-IV. A total of 36 pedigrees contributed 54 affected sibling pairs to the cohort. A genome scan with 494 microsatellite markers was analyzed using GENEHUNTER and MAPMAKER/SIBS.


RESULTS
A genome-wide significant linkage signal was observed on chromosome 16p13, and a genome-wide suggestive linkage was observed on chromosome 8q24. No significant or suggestive linkage was observed in these regions in our original bipolar scan.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies chromosomal regions that are likely to harbor genes that predispose individuals to bipolar affective puerperal psychosis. The identification of susceptibility genes would enhance understanding of pathogenesis and offer the possibility of improvements in treatment and risk prediction.
Jones
Ian
I
Department of Psychological Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building, Wales School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN UK. jonesir1@cf.ac.uk
Hamshere
Marian
M
Nangle
Jeanne-Marrie
JM
Bennett
Philip
P
Green
Elaine
E
Heron
Jess
J
Segurado
Ricardo
R
Lambert
David
D
Holmans
Peter
P
Corvin
Aiden
A
Owen
Mike
M
Jones
Lisa
L
Gill
Michael
M
Craddock
Nick
N
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / Q000235:genetics; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008126:Lod Score; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
D005819:Genetic Markers