Articles tagged with Bipolar Disorder
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that bipolar I and II disorders have different biological causes, with stronger family clustering for each subtype. The research also identified distinct gender differences and genetic correlations between the subtypes.
A University of Michigan team has identified seven distinct phenotypes in people with bipolar disorder, each with unique biological mechanisms and external influences. These findings have the potential to help patients, clinicians, and researchers better understand the condition.
Researchers at UTHealth found that individuals with bipolar disorder exhibit accelerated epigenetic aging, which may explain why they are more prone to age-related diseases and have shorter lifespans. The study suggests that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and substance use can contribute to this premature aging.
Teenage cannabis use at least 2-3 times weekly is directly associated with suffering from symptoms of hypomania in later years. The study found that adolescent cannabis use is an independent risk factor for future hypomania, suggesting a potential causal link.
Researchers found that heart rate variability measured by an electrocardiogram indicated whether subjects had major depression or bipolar disorder. Patients with bipolar disorder had higher blood levels of inflammation biomarkers than those with major depression.
Researchers at McLean Hospital discovered a unique brain training program that improves cognitive skills in individuals with bipolar disorder. The study found significant improvements in cognitive performance, memory, and visual learning, with sustained benefits six months after treatment.
Patients with bipolar disorder who received bright light therapy at midday experienced a higher remission rate of 68% compared to 22.2% on placebo, with significant reductions in depression scores and improvements in daily functioning.
A genetic variant associated with multiple psychiatric disorders is linked to changes in a brain network that may increase an individual's risk of developing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The variant affects the expression of the SNAP25 protein, impacting information processing between brain regions involved in regulating emotions.
Researchers created mice lacking ankyrin-G protein, displaying hyperactivity and reduced anxiety. Lithium treatment reversed these behaviors, mirroring human bipolar disorder symptoms.
A first-of-its-kind study reveals that expanding waistlines and body fat distribution are key factors contributing to obesity in individuals with psychotic disorders. The research found that nearly two-thirds of those with schizophrenia and more than half of those with bipolar disorder were obese 20 years after their first hospitalizat...
A study by researchers at Mount Sinai identified a brain mechanism that makes siblings of bipolar patients resilient to the disease. The brain can adapt to its biological risk, opening new avenues for research on enhancing resilience.
A study led by the University of California, Berkeley, found that people with mental illness reoffend less if placed on specialty probation, a program using individualized treatment-oriented approaches. Specialty probationers had a 52% recidivism rate over two years compared to 29% for traditional probationers.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found decreased brain pH levels in mouse models of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. The research suggests that lower brain pH may be an underlying pathophysiology for these mental disorders.
A new study found that individuals with bipolar disorder often face exclusion and stigma at work, leading to negative outcomes. The research highlights the importance of intervening to improve relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and suggests that workplace support is crucial for individuals with severe mental illness.
Research suggests that individuals with a family history of bipolar disorder may experience faster biological aging. The study found that patients treated with lithium had longer telomeres, which could help reverse age-related changes. This association may explain the higher rates of aging-related diseases among bipolar disorder patients.
Researchers found differences in immune system factors between men and women with bipolar disorder, particularly in zinc levels associated with depression severity in women. This study suggests that biological changes in the body could be used to diagnose the disease and tailor treatments differently for men and women.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed a genetic fuzzy logic AI that predicted treatment outcomes for bipolar patients with 100% accuracy, surpassing conventional models. The AI, called LITHIA, can analyze vast amounts of data to identify the best treatment options, offering new hope for those affected by bipolar disorder.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that online self-management support for parents with Bipolar Disorder improves parenting skills, child behavior, and reduces parenting stress. The intervention combines self-management strategies with mood management to promote consistent parenting.
A recent study has identified the molecular mechanism behind lithium's effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder, providing a clear path to developing new diagnostic tests and therapies. The research, led by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, utilized human induced pluripotent stem cells to map lithium's response path...
A global consortium has created the first map of bipolar disorder's impact on the brain, revealing clear differences in brain regions controlling inhibition and emotion. The study found significant thinning of gray matter in patients with bipolar disorder, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation.
The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program has received a $5 million gift commitment from the World Heritage Foundation - Prechter Family Fund, which will double donations to bipolar disorder research. The program aims to identify effective solutions for people with bipolar disorder through long-term studies and DNA analysis.
Researchers developed ERPonline to help people with bipolar disorder recognize and respond to early warning signs of relapse. Accessing the online tool was associated with improved beliefs about mood and increased monitoring of early warning signs compared to non-users.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a new method to predict which individuals with bipolar disorder will respond to lithium therapy. Using a system trained on electrical firing patterns of neurons from six patients, the method achieved 92% accuracy in classifying responders and nonresponders.
Research validates PLCgamma1 as a promising candidate gene for bipolar disorder, linking it to manic-like behavior and synaptic imbalance. The study reveals that loss of PLCgamma1 from forebrain leads to behavioral abnormalities and manic episodes.
Researchers have discovered two novel genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder, FADS1 and FADS2, which play a crucial role in lipid metabolism. These findings support the notion that lipid abnormalities may contribute to the development of BD.
A new NIH-funded study aims to test ways family members can maintain their health while caring for relatives with bipolar disorder. Researchers will match caregivers with tailored self-management techniques, including breathing exercises and training in self-help skills, to reduce stress and improve overall health.
A recent study published in JAACAP found that obesity among adolescents with bipolar disorder is associated with increased illness severity, including more suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations. However, the study also found that overweight adolescents with bipolar disorder are not more common than their peers.
Researchers identified 13 gene groups common to all three mental disorders, including those involved in protein production, immune response and brain cell communication. The study suggests that targeting these shared pathways could lead to new treatment strategies.
A study of 522 children found that those born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder scored higher on a behavior checklist and were at increased risk for anxiety, ADHD, and neurocognitive problems. The children also came from families with lower social status and more adverse life events.
A University of Manchester study found that people with bipolar disorder are 2.63 times more likely to have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse as children compared to the general population. This strong link has implications for treatment and personalized therapy plans.
A follow-up study finds that bipolar adolescents are at higher risk for substance use disorder and smoking five years later. The presence of conduct disorder, particularly when combined with bipolar symptoms, significantly increases this risk.
Researchers have made patients' stem cells available for worldwide study to better understand bipolar disorder, a serious mental illness with extreme mood swings. The shared stem cells can be turned into brain cells in the lab, enabling scientists to study how the disease affects brain cells and potentially lead to new treatments.
A study by University of New South Wales and Italian researchers found a significant delay in diagnosing bipolar disorder, with an average delay of almost six years. This delay can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and reduced severity of episodes.
Researchers found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy increases activity in brain regions controlling emotional processing, leading to reduced anxiety in youth at risk of bipolar disorder. The study's pilot trial showed significant improvements in clinician-rated and youth-rated anxiety following 12 weeks of treatment.
Research found that patients hospitalized for mania were more likely to be on antibiotics to treat active infections than healthy controls. This link between infection, antibiotics, and manic episodes adds evidence to the gut-brain axis theory, suggesting that a person's microbiome plays a role in psychiatric symptoms.
A Swedish study found that trigger events like exposure to violence were linked to increased risk of violent crime among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The study also revealed a higher risk for individuals without psychiatric diagnoses who experienced similar triggers.
Researchers from Scripps Florida have discovered a link between bipolar disorder and the striatum, a brain region involved in motor planning and reward perception. The study identified 14 genes differentially expressed in bipolar patients compared to non-bipolar controls, suggesting a causal role in the disorder.
Research at Umeå University found a link between low cortisol levels and increased risk of obesity, dyslipidaemia and metabolic syndrome in patients with recurrent depressions or bipolar disorder. Cortisol regulation is linked to worsened physical health in these patients.
Researchers have identified 84 potential inherited gene mutations that may contribute to severe forms of bipolar disorder. The study used advanced genome sequencing techniques to analyze DNA from 36 family members with the disease, finding rare genetic variations that were overrepresented in those with bipolar disorder.
Researchers at McLean Hospital discovered that individuals with bipolar disorder have altered somatostatin expression in the brain's amygdala, which regulates anxiety and stress response. This altered circadian function is linked to severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, providing potential neural correlates for circadian rhythm ...
Researchers are exploring whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can provide relief for patients with bipolar disorder who do not respond to medications. The study aims to identify structural targets in the brain that may be involved in the disorder and potentially treat it through DBS.
A study of 6,671 individuals found lower rates of self-harm and unintentional injuries among those taking lithium compared to other mood stabilizers. Lithium may reduce impulsive aggression in addition to stabilizing mood.
A Johns Hopkins study found that men with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have a higher rate of yeast infections than those without these disorders. Women with schizophrenia also performed worse on memory tests after testing positive for yeast infections.
A new study suggests a genetic overlap between bipolar disorder and autism, adding to the growing understanding that many psychiatric diseases share common roots. The research identified 84 rare genetic variations linked to bipolar disorder that were also associated with schizophrenia and autism.
A new study found that electronic health records (EHRs) frequently fail to capture comprehensive mental health data, resulting in potential medication errors and patient harm. The research highlights the importance of supplementing EHR-derived data with external sources to improve patient care.
A study found that mice with a genetic mutation exhibiting periodic changes in locomotor activity and mood-like behaviors, similar to humans with bipolar disorder. Gene expression patterns in the brain identified circadian genes as key players in regulating infradian oscillations.
A new Scripps Research Institute study has identified specific genetic variations associated with increased susceptibility to bipolar disorder and other conditions. The research focuses on a gene called PDE10A, which produces proteins that regulate intracellular levels of cAMP, influencing biological processes like learning and memory.
Researchers are testing SPI-1005, an oral drug containing ebselen, as a potential treatment for bipolar disorder. The treatment has shown promise in addressing the lack of effective options for patients with this condition.
Studies have shown that medications used to treat bipolar disorder, particularly mood stabilizers, can increase grey matter volume and normalize white matter disorganization. These findings suggest a predominantly ameliorative effect of psychopharmacological treatment on brain anatomy.
A study found that around 10% of UK primary care patients prescribed antidepressants for depression or anxiety have undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The condition often presents with depression and can be difficult to diagnose, leading to inappropriate treatment.
A new study suggests that childhood trauma is associated with worse impulse control in adulthood, particularly among those without bipolar disorder. The research found that adults who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as children performed poorly on a quick task measuring inhibitory control.
Naturally occurring brain wiring changes can help patients at high genetic risk of developing bipolar disorder avoid the illness. Researchers found that resilient siblings showed additional changes in brain wiring within networks involved in emotional processing, which may help them avoid the disease.
Researchers identified 13 inherited sleep and activity measures linked to bipolar disorder, including later waking times and shorter periods of activity. The study provides clues to the genetic nature of the disorder and potential new approaches for prevention and treatment.
Research found a heightened risk of subsequent mania and bipolar disorder in adults treated with certain antidepressants, including SSRIs and venlafaxine. The peak age for diagnosis was among patients aged 26 to 35, with an annual risk of 1.2%.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified a gene variant linked to psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment in people with bipolar disorder. The study found that the gene variant affects levels of specific proteins in the brain, which may lead to new targeted drug development.
Researchers at Oxford University have successfully conducted human trials on the 'rescued' drug ebselen, which may offer a safer alternative to lithium for treating bipolar disorder. The initial trial found that ebselen had similar effects on the brain as lithium and showed promise in reducing side effects.
Researchers discovered that bipolar patients' brain cells are more sensitive to stimuli, leading to differing responses to lithium. The study suggests a starting point for probing cellular differences and developing new treatments.
A multicenter study confirms lithium's efficacy and safety for children with bipolar disorder in the short term. The study showed significant improvement in symptoms compared to placebo, without significant weight gain or serious side effects.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience. The awards recognize the transformative power of neuroscience to improve mental health.
A University of Chicago team aims to establish a new system of diagnosis for psychotic diseases using biomarkers, which may guide the development of novel therapies. The Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes will recruit additional study participants over five years.