The following studies are ongoing, and are recruiting volunteers:

The Maudsley Bipolar Twin Study, based at the Institute of Psychiatry in London is conducting research about the genetic basis of bipolar disorder using twin methdology. Currently recruiting volunteers: identical and non-identical twins pairs, where either one or both twins has a diagnosis of bipolar I or II.

The MRC eMonitoring Project, another research study based at the Institute of Psychiatry and Newcastle Universities, is conducting novel research on electronic monitoring methodologies (electronic mood diaries and actigraphy) for tracking bipolar symptom fluctuations in Bipolar individuals who are interested in self-managing their condition.

Bipolar Disorder : Inside
[ Domains of the Bipolar Spectrum ] [ Suicide Risk ] [ Diagnosis ] [ Treatment ] [ Relapse ] [ Research Findings ]
[ Ongoing Research ] [ Causes ] [ Personal Descriptions ]
[ History of Bipolar Disorder ] [ Epidemiology ]
[ Bipolar Disorder and Creativity ] [ Organizations ]
[ Support Services ] [ Special Education Schools ] [ Camps ]
[ Books ] [ DVDs ] [ CDs ] [ VHS ] [ Magazines ] [ Software ]

------------------------------------------------------------------

Charity Walk

K12 Academics will be participating in the NAMI Walks for the Mind of America Saturday, May 31st, 2008. Please click here to place a donation for the walk. The walk will help raise funds to help fight mental illness, and build awareness for the improvement of the mental health system.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Researchers are using advanced brain imaging techniques to examine brain function and structure in people with bipolar disorder, particularly using the functional MRI and positron emission tomography. An important area of neuroimaging research focuses on identifying and characterizing networks of interconnected nerve cells in the brain, interactions among which form the basis for normal and abnormal behaviors. Researchers hypothesize that abnormalities in the structure and/or function of certain brain circuits could underlie bipolar and other mood disorders, and studies have found anatomical differences in areas such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.

Better understanding of the neural circuits involved in regulating mood states, and genetic factors such as the cadherin gene FAT linked to bipolar disorder, may influence the development of new and better treatments, and may ultimately aid in early diagnosis and even a cure.

An evolving literature exists concerning the nature of personality and temperament in bipolar disorder patients, compared to major depressive disorder (unipolar) patients and non-sufferers. Such differences may be diagnostically relevant. Using MBTI continuum scores, bipolar patients were significantly more extroverted, intuitive, and perceiving, and less introverted, sensing, and judging than were unipolar patients. This suggests that there might be a correlation between the Jungian extroverted intuiting process and bipolar disorder.