Ring chromosome 22 and mood disorders.

Doctors looked at one young man with ring chromosome 22.

He had severe hyperactivity and excited mood.

They asked if these behaviors were actually signs of bipolar disorder.

The man showed rapid-cycling bipolar illness.

His excited mood and hyperactivity matched bipolar symptoms.

Ring chromosome 22 may raise the risk for this mood disorder.

Gaylord-Ross et al. (1995) saw the same pattern a year earlier.

They found rapid-cycling bipolar in a man with brain dysplasia.

Both studies show mood disorders can hide in developmental disability.

Estécio et al. (2002) tested 30 youths with PDDs.

They found chromosomal problems in a large share of cases.

This larger study supports checking genes when behavior is extreme.

Gaily et al. (1998) screened the children with PDDs.

They found only a large share had chromosome changes.

The small numbers do not clash.

Vollmer et al. (1996) looked at one rare case.

E et al. looked at a whole clinic sample.

If a client with ring chromosome 22 shows wild swings in energy or mood, think bipolar.

Ask about sleep, appetite, and cycling patterns.

A genetic report plus behavior data can guide better psychiatric referral.