Bipolar Disorder: A disorder of circadian regulation?

Despite its prevalence and degree of disability, bipolar disorder has not received the attention it deserves within the so-called mood disorders. To properly understand the factors associated with its origin, basic research is needed. However, the lack of a satisfactory animal model hinders progress in understanding the neurobiological basis that gains importance in explaining this condition. This review, therefore, aims to combine the recent contributions about bipolar disorder, and thus provide an overview to help clarify the causal line, starting from the most basic level: the underlying genetic component. Specifically, this paper presents evidence on the progress achieved with animal models of mutant mice of genes involved in regulating circadian rhythms, current focus of etiopathogenic hypothesis of bipolar disorder.