Bipolar Research Study Using MR Imaging

There are relatively few studies evaluating brain structure in bipolar disorder (BD), the
results of which have been largely inconsistent, both in terms of what abnormalities are
present in BD and whether they show any similar abnormalities to those found in
schizophrenia. One possibility that might explain the varying degree of reported similarity
in structural findings in schizophrenia and BD is that there might be effects of BPD
diagnostic subtype associated with brain structure. One viewpoint that contrasts
schizophrenia and BD considers psychotic (PBD) to differ from non-psychotic (NPBD) subtypes
in terms of shared pathophysiology with schizophrenia. PBD has been reported as being of
special interest, as it shares symptomatic overlap with schizophrenia, "runs in families",
shares a chromosomal linkage to the 13q13-32 and 22q12 with schizophrenia, shows similar
increases in dopamine receptor Bmax induced by [c-11] N-methylspiperone positron emission
tomography and similar working memory impairments as in schizophrenia. If PBP and NPBP are
associated with different forms of brain pathology, then merging the two entities into a
single "bipolar group" might obscure relevant anatomic differences if these occur primarily
in only one group. In this proposal, the investigators will focus on subcortical gray and
white matter structures commonly found to be abnormal in schizophrenia. Thus, the
investigators will evaluate the volume and shape of the hippocampus, thalamus and basal
ganglia, as well as measures of structural integrity of the corpus callosum and its various
subregions.

Inclusion Criteria:

- between the ages of 18-30

- diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

- history of head injury

- unstable medical condition