Liu Y, Zhu LY, Xiao Q, Zeng HM, Zhan YX, Yang RH, Lin FZ, Liu DL, Zeng XX, Chen BF. Circadian rhythm disruption in bipolar disorder: Mechanisms, clinical significance, and rhythm-oriented interventions. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(3): 114301 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.114301]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yun Liu, PhD, Doctor, Department of Psychiatry, Jiangxi Mental Hospital, Affiliated Mental Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 43 Shangfang Road, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi Province, China. yunliu02025@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Psychiatry
Article-Type of This Article
Review
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Mar 19, 2026 (publication date) through Mar 24, 2026
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Journal Information of This Article
Publication Name
World Journal of Psychiatry
ISSN
2220-3206
Publisher of This Article
Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Liu Y, Zhu LY, Xiao Q, Zeng HM, Zhan YX, Yang RH, Lin FZ, Liu DL, Zeng XX, Chen BF. Circadian rhythm disruption in bipolar disorder: Mechanisms, clinical significance, and rhythm-oriented interventions. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(3): 114301 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.114301]
Yun Liu, Liu-Ye Zhu, Qi Xiao, Hai-Min Zeng, Yu-Xin Zhan, Ru-Hui Yang, Fang-Zhen Lin, De-Le Liu, Xin-Xing Zeng, Bo-Fan Chen, Department of Psychiatry, Jiangxi Mental Hospital, Affiliated Mental Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi Province, China
Liu-Ye Zhu, Hai-Min Zeng, Yu-Xin Zhan, Ru-Hui Yang, Fang-Zhen Lin, De-Le Liu, Xin-Xing Zeng, Bo-Fan Chen, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
Qi Xiao, The First Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Yun Liu and Bo-Fan Chen.
Author contributions: Liu Y, Zhu LY, Xiao Q, Zeng HM, and Yang RH drafted the manuscript and performed the major revisions; Zhan YX and Lin FZ prepared and revised the figures; Chen BF, Liu DL, and Zeng XX conducted the literature search and data curation; Liu Y and Chen BF conceived the study, supervised the project, and critically reviewed and edited the manuscript; All authors have discussed the proposed scope and content of the article before drafting and read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the National College Students’ Innovative Entrepreneurial Training Plan Program, No. 202410403067; and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students in Jiangxi Province, No. S202410403035.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Yun Liu, PhD, Doctor, Department of Psychiatry, Jiangxi Mental Hospital, Affiliated Mental Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 43 Shangfang Road, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi Province, China. yunliu02025@163.com
Received: September 16, 2025 Revised: October 22, 2025 Accepted: November 7, 2025 Published online: March 19, 2026 Processing time: 165 Days and 19 Hours
Abstract
Circadian disruption is not merely a common symptom of bipolar disorder (BD) but also serves as a pivotal driver in its pathophysiology. Grounded in the “gene-brain-behavior-environment” multidimensional interaction model, this review established an integrative framework to examine recent advances across molecular, physiological, behavioral, and social scales. We systematically delineated the critical role and clinical significance of circadian disruption in the pathogenesis of BD and assessed the therapeutic potential and prognostic benefits of rhythm-oriented interventions. Future research should deepen the understanding of the network regulatory mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms in BD to foster the translational application of related therapeutic strategies in the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Core Tip: Based on the multifaceted role of circadian rhythm disruption in bipolar disorder, this review explored its underlying mechanisms and clinical implications. It highlighted rhythm-oriented interventions as emerging tools for refining diagnosis, improving treatment, and advancing precision psychiatry, ultimately aiming to improve long-term outcomes for patients with mood disorders.
