Background
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response refers to a reduction in the response
to a strong stimulus (pulse) if preceded shortly by a weak stimulus (prepulse). Disrupted
PPI is thought to reflect abnormalities in the inhibitory control of information processing.
Reduced PPI has been reported in mania, although it is not clear whether it represents
a trait feature of bipolar disorder (BD). To address this issue, the present study
examined whether disrupted PPI is present in individuals at high risk for BD.
Methods
Twenty-one remitted BD patients and 19 of their unaffected siblings were compared
with 17 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers on tests of acoustic startle reactivity
and PPI of the startle response.
Results
There were no group differences in startle reactivity. Compared with healthy individuals,
BD patients and their unaffected siblings showed lower PPI. In the patient group,
no significant correlations were found between PPI and measures of symptom and disease
severity or medication.
Conclusions
This is the first study to report reduced PPI in remitted BD patients and their unaffected
first-degree relatives. This finding, although in need of replication, suggests that
PPI disruption may represent a trait deficit in BD associated with genetic predisposition.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 10, 2007
Accepted:
December 4,
2006
Received in revised form:
December 2,
2006
Received:
October 30,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
