The sensitization hypothesis and importance of psychosensory features in mood disorder: a review

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.