Neurological soft signs in bipolar disorder

Q: What are neurological soft signs (NSS)?
Ans. These include subtle deficits of motor coordination, sensory integration and sequencing of complex motor acts. 

Q. Why are these called "soft" signs?
Ans. These are termed soft signs because they cannot be localized to a particular area in the brain.

Q. Why are these being studied?
Ans. NSS are being studied in a variety of psychiatric illnesses because they might have a bearing on severity of symptoms and clinical outcome of psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder

References

• Chrobak AA, Soltys Z, Dudek D, Siwek M. Neurological and cerebellar soft signs in bipolar disorder: The role of staging, type and history of psychotic symptoms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Mar 8;121:110673.
• Negash, A., Kebede, D., Alem, A., Melaku, Z., Deyessa, N., Shibire, T., Fekadu, A., Fekadu, D., Jacobsson, L. and Kullgren, G., 2004. Neurological soft signs in bipolar I disorder patients. Journal of affective disorders, 80(2-3), pp.221-230.

Bipolar Disorder - Types (DSM-5)

 Bipolar Disorder, as per the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), includes the following types

1. Bipolar 1 : this is diagnosed when symptoms of mania last 7 days or more. Also, can be diagnosed when an individual has severe mania which requires hospitalization. 
2. Bipolar 2 : diagnosed when an individual has symptoms of hypomania, preceded or followed by a major depressive episode
3. Cyclothymic disorder : Includes symptoms of hypomania and depression that last for 2 years or more in adults, not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of the above 2 conditions. 

Ref:

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596