title: A sib-pair analysis of impulsivity in bipolar disorder type I.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare impulsivity among patients with bipolar disorder, their siblings, and healthy controls in order to examine whether impulsivity in bipolar disorder is related to genetic liability for the illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, we assessed 204 subjects: 67 euthymic outpatients with bipolar disorder type I, 67 siblings without bipolar disorder, and 70 healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Impulsivity scores were higher among patients with bipolar disorder than among healthy controls. Siblings showed higher motor impulsivity scores than did healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that motor impulsivity may be a vulnerability marker for bipolar disorder. Our data may contribute to further improve preventive strategies in subjects at high risk for bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: Bipolar Disorder Research Program (PROMAN), Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: kalmeida@usp.br.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mathias de Almeida
authors.forename: Fabiano Gonçalves
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.forename: Ricardo Alberto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Clarice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gorenstein
authors.forename: Beny
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lafer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers