Neuro-immune changes in offspring of a bipolar parent: a follow-up study from adolescence to adulthood

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate neuro-immune changes and relate them to psychopathology development in a prospective study among children of a bipolar parent. Methods: Bipolar offspring (n = 140), originating from the prospective “Dutch Bipolar Offspring Study”, were evaluated cross-sectionally within a longitudinal context in adolescence, young adulthood and adulthood and compared with aged matched controls. We examined the expression of 44 inflammation-related genes in monocytes and the presence of thyroid antibodies (TPO-abs) in bipolar offspring and their bipolar parents. Results: During adolescence, bipolar offspring showed an increased inflammatory gene expression in monocytes, this remained, although to a lesser degree, during young adulthood. But in adulthood circulating monocytes had lost their activation state. A strong positive correlation of TPO-abs over time in bipolar offspring was found (Rs = 0.82 p < 0.001 resp. Rs = 0.72, p < 0.001). No significant familial association/aggregation of increased TPO-abs positivity prevalence in bipolar families was found. All immunological abnormalities were related to familial high-risk status, but independent of psychopathology at all stages. Conclusions: This study suggest an aberrant neuro-immune state in bipolar offspring, following a dynamic course form adolescents to adulthood, irrespective of lifetime or future mood disorders. It seems to reflect a general state of vulnerability for mood disorders.