J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1997; 9:525-533
Copyright © 1997 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
The sensitization hypothesis and importance of psychosensory features in mood disorder: a review
N Atre-Vaidya and MA Taylor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
The sensitization model of mood disorders, articulated 10 years ago,
predicts symptoms, course, and treatment response relationships. However,
clinical data testing this model have not been reviewed. The authors
reviewed all English-language publications characterizing psychosensory
features (clinical phenomena hypothesized to reflect temporolimbic
sensitization) and the relationship of these features to mood disorder,
course, and treatment. They found that 20% to 80% of bipolar and 80% of
epileptic patients experience psychosensory phenomena. Although these
features do not identify a specific subgroup of mood disorders, their
prevalence is highest in schizoaffective bipolar patients. The value of
psychosensory features in predicting treatment response or chronicity is
unclear.
