Bipolar affective disorder associated with β-thalassemia minor

A family suggesting cosegregation of β-thalassemia minor and bipolar affective disorder was reported. The monogenic hereditary anemia was surveyed over three generations in this family, and three patients with the β-thalassemia and the bipolar affective disorder were observed over two generations. The localization of a gene responsible for bipolar affective disorder was discussed on the basis of previous reports.