Mixed Mood State Behaviors and Circadian Dysfunction following Homocysteic Acid Treatment: Potential Animal Model for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a neuropsychiatric disease characterized by cyclical fluctuations of mood states between mania and depression. Circadian rhythm abnormalities and inconsistent sleep patterns are two common symptoms of bipolar disorder (Millar, Epsie, & Scott, 2004). Elevated levels of homocysteine, in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid, commonly occurs in patients with neuropsychiatric illnesses, including bipolar disorder (Bell et al., 1992; Boushey, Beresford, Omenn, & Motulsky, 1995). Homocysteic acid (HCA), an endogenous metabolite of homocysteine, has been implicated as a harmful neurotoxin and agonist of NMDA receptors. We have previously shown that postnatal administration of HCA (from postnatal day 3-21) in Sprague Dawley rats results in both mania-like and depressive-like behaviors, suggesting that this may serve as a novel animal model for bipolar disorder. The purpose of the present study was to characterize any circadian abnormalities that may be present in HCA-treated rats, as sleep and circadian dysfunction are common symptoms of bipolar disorder. In addition, we also characterized the developmental onset of the mania-like and depressive-like behaviors in this model. Prior to puberty, we found that HCA-treated rats exhibited no manic-like behaviors and only a trend toward depressive-like behaviors. After puberty, however, HCA-treated rats presented a mixed mood-state of both manic-like and depressive-like behaviors, along with significant dysfunction in the circadian clock. Specifically, both the free-running period and the amplitude of the rhythm were significantly reduced following HCA treatment. We are currently using microarray analyses to determine differences in circadian gene expression levels between HCA treated animals and controls. Additionally, we are examining the therapeutic role of lithium for reversing the circadian disruptions exhibited by the HCA-treated animals. Altogether, the findings of the present study provide strong evidence in support of the HCA model’s face validity for bipolar disorder, allowing us to better understand the mechanisms underlying the development of this disease

Sleep in College Students: How is Sleep Related to Daily Health and Spiritual Behaviors, and How Does Sleep Education Affect Sleep Quality and Quantity?

College students are particularly susceptible to sleep issues because college creates an environment where the vulnerabilities to poor sleep are high, which can interfere with everyday functioning. Along with sleep, religiousness and spirituality also have been shown to have a positive impact on health. Few studies have examined the effect of educational interventions on sleep patterns in college students. The present study aims to explore the relationships between sleep, health, light, and spirituality/religiousness in college students. Additionally, we will implement an educational intervention to determine its effect on sleep quality and quantity. Participants will complete a pre-survey that collects information about demographics, sleep quality and quantity, religious behaviors, certain dimensions of physical health such as diet and exercise, and their state of well-being and mood. Some participants will then be asked to watch a short sleep education video, while others will watch an unrelated educational video. Following the pre-survey, a subset of participants will be given a FitBit to collect data on daily sleep and wake cycles. In addition, all participants will be asked to complete a daily survey each morning for a week. At the end of the week, an exit survey will be completed along with the final daily diary. Data collection will be completed by April. We expect to find that daily religious and spiritual behaviors are associated with healthy behaviors, including sleep, in college students. In addition, we expect that an educational intervention will influence sleep quality and quantity. Finally, we predict a negative relationship between light and sleep. This project seeks to increase awareness of the importance of sleep, especially as it pertains to health in college students and how religiosity and spirituality might play a role in that relationship