A genetic analysis of the validity of the Hypomanic Personality Scale. (15th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Sheri L; Carver, Charles S; Joormann, Jutta; Cuccaro, Michael
• Is Part Of: Bipolar disorders. Volume 17:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2014-09-15
• Subjects: bipolar disorder -- dopamine -- early adversity -- genetic polymorphism -- mania risk; Manic-depressive illness -- Periodicals; Depression, Mental -- Periodicals; 616.895
• DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12251
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1398-5647

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Studies of mania risk have increasingly relied on measures of subsyndromal tendencies to experience manic symptoms. The measures of mania risk employed in those studies have been shown to predict manic onset, to show familial associations, and to demonstrate expected correlations with psychosocial variables related to bipolar disorder. However, little work has been conducted to validate such measures against biologically relevant indices, or to consider whether early adversity, which has been shown to be highly elevated among those with bipolar disorder, is related to higher scores on mania risk measures. This study tested whether a well‐used, self‐report measure of vulnerability to mania is associated with several candidate genes that have previously been linked with bipolar disorder or with early adversity. Interactions of genes with early adversity in the prediction of mania vulnerability were also tested. Methods: Undergraduate students from the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL, USA) (N = 305) completed the Hypomanic Personality Scale and the Risky Families Scale, and provided blood for genotyping. Results: Findings indicated that the Hypomanic Personality Scale was related to a number of dopamine‐relevant polymorphisms and with early adversity. A polymorphism of ANKK1 appeared to specifically increase mania risk in the context of early adversity. Conclusions: These results provide additional support for the validity of the Hypomanic Personality Scale.