Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?

Impulsive behaviour is a key characteristic of mania in bipolar disorder (BD). However, there is mixed evidence as to whether impulsivity is a trait feature of the disorder, present in the euthymic state in the absence of mania. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine whet...

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Main Authors: Rachel Primo Santana, Jess Kerr-Gaffney, Anda Ancane, Allan H. Young
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:Brain Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/10/1351
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author Rachel Primo Santana
Jess Kerr-Gaffney
Anda Ancane
Allan H. Young
author_facet Rachel Primo Santana
Jess Kerr-Gaffney
Anda Ancane
Allan H. Young
author_sort Rachel Primo Santana
collection DOAJ
description Impulsive behaviour is a key characteristic of mania in bipolar disorder (BD). However, there is mixed evidence as to whether impulsivity is a trait feature of the disorder, present in the euthymic state in the absence of mania. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine whether impulsivity is elevated in euthymic BD in comparison to controls. Electronic databases were searched for papers published until April 2022 reporting data on a self-report or behavioural measure of impulsivity in a euthymic BD group and a healthy control group. In total, 46 studies were identified. Euthymic BD showed significantly higher levels of self-reported impulsivity compared to controls (large effect size). Euthymic BD also showed significantly higher levels of impulsivity on response inhibition and inattention tasks, with moderate and large effect sizes, respectively. Only two studies measured delay of gratification, finding no significant differences between groups. Our results suggest impulsivity may be a trait feature of BD, however longitudinal cohort studies are required to confirm whether elevated impulsivity is present before illness onset. Future research should establish whether cognitive interventions are beneficial in improving impulsivity in BD.
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spelling doaj.art-408e7af5e81040fba3f626a6ca10fd3b2023-11-23T23:14:01ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252022-10-011210135110.3390/brainsci12101351Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?Rachel Primo Santana0Jess Kerr-Gaffney1Anda Ancane2Allan H. Young3Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UKDepartment of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UKImpulsive behaviour is a key characteristic of mania in bipolar disorder (BD). However, there is mixed evidence as to whether impulsivity is a trait feature of the disorder, present in the euthymic state in the absence of mania. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine whether impulsivity is elevated in euthymic BD in comparison to controls. Electronic databases were searched for papers published until April 2022 reporting data on a self-report or behavioural measure of impulsivity in a euthymic BD group and a healthy control group. In total, 46 studies were identified. Euthymic BD showed significantly higher levels of self-reported impulsivity compared to controls (large effect size). Euthymic BD also showed significantly higher levels of impulsivity on response inhibition and inattention tasks, with moderate and large effect sizes, respectively. Only two studies measured delay of gratification, finding no significant differences between groups. Our results suggest impulsivity may be a trait feature of BD, however longitudinal cohort studies are required to confirm whether elevated impulsivity is present before illness onset. Future research should establish whether cognitive interventions are beneficial in improving impulsivity in BD.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/10/1351bipolar disordereuthymiaimpulsivityinattentionresponse inhibitiondelayed gratification
spellingShingle Rachel Primo Santana
Jess Kerr-Gaffney
Anda Ancane
Allan H. Young
Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?
Brain Sciences
bipolar disorder
euthymia
impulsivity
inattention
response inhibition
delayed gratification
title Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?
title_full Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?
title_fullStr Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?
title_full_unstemmed Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?
title_short Impulsivity in Bipolar Disorder: State or Trait?
title_sort impulsivity in bipolar disorder state or trait
topic bipolar disorder
euthymia
impulsivity
inattention
response inhibition
delayed gratification
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/10/1351
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