Brain Default Network in Psychotic Bipolar Disorder

BrainPosts: In a previous post I reviewed a summary of research related to genetics and improved diagnosis in bipolar disorder. One key point in this review was a highlight of the promise for integrating genetic with imaging research in bipolar disorder and other neuropsychiatric disorders. An example of this type of integrated research has been recently published in PNAS by a group of Yale University, the University of New Mexico and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) default mode network (DMN) across a group of subjects with psychotic bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and healthy controls. Additionally, study included imaging a group of unaffected relatives of the psychotic bipolar subjects and schizophrenia.

Genes link mental illness and creativity

Scimex: An international study has found a genetic link between people with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and artistic individuals. The authors found the same genes that predicted an increased risk in having the disorders, could also predict whether someone had an artistic profession or was part of an artistic society, and the link couldn't be explained by IQ differences or being related to someone with psychosis. Creativity and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, share genetic roots, suggests a study published online this week in Nature Neuroscience. For the purposes of the study, creative individuals were defined as those belonging to national artistic societies or having an artistic profession.

Experts call for earlier diagnosis of bipolar disorder

London: Delays in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, particularly in those with alcohol and substance misuse disorders, could be preventing people from receiving effective treatment for the condition, according to a new study by researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN)​ at King's College London, and the NIHR. Published today in PLOS ONE, the study found that two months was the average delay from presenting to mental healthcare services to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. However, in people with alcohol and substance misuse disorders the average delay was two years, with some experiencing delays of over five years. This was in addition to a period of around 10 years from first experiencing symptoms to receiving specialist mental healthcare.

Some people with bipolar struggle to communicate – and here’s why

TheConversation: Every day we’re confronted with information that stimulates many of our senses at the same time, but we don’t perceive this information in its component parts. Rather, we perceive it as a whole without being conscious of doing so. But people with bipolar disorder struggle with this integration process, and this might make it hard for them to communicate. Think about an explosion: the sight of the fireball might be sufficient to signal that an explosion has occurred, but we will know that it definitely has if we also hear a loud bang, smell smoke and feel heat from the fire. It’s the integration of all these different kinds of sensory information that enables us to experience the world around us in all its glory. And this integration is vital if we are to understand other people.

FDA approves first generic Abilify to treat mental illnesses

FDA: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic versions of Abilify (aripiprazole). Generic aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic drug approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hetero Labs Ltd., Teva Pharmaceuticals and Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. have received FDA approval to market generic aripiprazole in multiple strengths and dosage forms. “Having access to treatments is important for patients with long-term health conditions,” said John Peters, M.D., acting director of the Office of Generic Drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Health care professionals and consumers can be assured that FDA-approved generic drugs have met the same rigorous standards as the brand-name drug.”

From pole to pole: New research into treating bipolar disorder

Melbourne University. Australia: Psychiatrist Prof Allan Young discusses bipolar disorder, and examines leading edge research into finding new treatments for this condition. Presented by Sila Genc.

Study identifies biological mechanisms for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression

UCLA. US: Common psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression share genetic risk factors related to immune function and DNA regulation, according to new findings by a large collaborative research project from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium involving UCLA, King’s College London, Cardiff University, Harvard and MIT.

First rank symptoms for schizophrenia

Cochrane: It is important for patients with psychosis to be correctly diagnosed as soon as possible. The earlier schizophrenia is diagnosed the better the treatment outcome. However, other diseases sometimes have similar psychotic symptoms as schizophrenia, for example bipolar disorders.

Bipolar Disorders

Author:  Eduard Vieta et al; Bipolar Disorders Programme, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona; Spain 2011-04-11 BMC Psychiatry

Bipolar disorder (BD) is not just a single disorder, but a category of lifelong mood disorders characterised by the presence of one or more recurrent manic, hypomanic and depressive episodes. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present. While these episodes are usually separated by periods of normal mood, in some patients depression and mania may rapidly alternate [1].