Minor physical anomalies in bipolar I and bipolar II disorders - Results with the Méhes Scale

- Minor physical anomalies were more common in the ear and int he mouth regions among the bipolar I and bipolar II patients.
- High-arched palate and furrowed tongue are more prevalent in bipolar I and bipolar II disorders.
- Furrowed tongue is more common in bipolar I disorder.
- Neurodevelopmental deficit plays a role in both bipolar I and bipolar II disorders.

Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are external markers of abnormal brain development, so the more common appearence of these signs among bipolar I and bipolar II patients can confirm the possibility of a neurodevelopmental deficit in these illnesses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the rate and topological profile of minor physical anomalies in patients with bipolar I and - first in literature - with bipolar II disorders compared to matched healthy control subjects. Using a list of 57 minor physical anomalies (the Méhes Scale), 30 bipolar I and 30 bipolar II patients, while as a comparison 30 matched healthy control subjects were examined. Significant differences were detected between the three groups comparing the total number of minor physical anomalies, minor malformations and phenogenetic variants and in the cases of the ear and the mouth regions. The individual analyses of the 57 minor physical anomalies by simultaneous comparison of the three groups showed, that in the cases of furrowed tongue and high arched palate were significant differences between the three groups. The results can promote the concept, that a neurodevelopmental deficit may play a role in the etiology of both bipolar I and bipolar II disorders.