scholarly journals Neuroanatomical studies on bipolar disorder

2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (S41) ◽  
pp. s142-s147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Baumann ◽  
Bernhard Bogerts
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Neuroimaging Data ◽  
Histological Data ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analyses

BackgroundNeuroimaging data showing structural and functional brain abnormalities in mood disorders suggest that brain alterations at the neurohistological level may underlie the macropathology seen by imaging in vivo.AimsTo summarise recent post-mortem studies on affective disorders, with a focus on bipolar disorder.MethodLiterature review and discussion of results from volumetric, cyto-architectural and immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsBasal ganglia are smaller in patients with depression irrespective of diagnostic polarity. In addition, higher neuron numbers have been reported in the locus caeruleus of patients with bipolar disorder compared with those with unipolar depression. Patients with bipolar as well as unipolar illness show subtle structural deficits in the dorsal raphe. Histological data are consistent with a regional reduction in the synthesis of noradrenalin and serotonin, which appears to be compensated by antidepressants.ConclusionPreliminary results suggest that, aside from functional dysregulation, subtle structural abnormalities in the brain may contribute to the pathogenesis of mood disorders.

Mood Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan A Baloch ◽  
Jair C. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Bipolar Spectrum ◽  
Manic Symptoms ◽  
Lifetime History ◽  
History Of

Affective disorders are among the most common disorders in psychiatry. They are generally classified according to the persistence and extent of symptoms and by the polarity of these symptoms. The two poles of the affective spectrum are mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by the presence of the mania or hypomania and often depression. Unipolar depression is defined by depression in the absence of a lifetime history of mania or hypomania. These differences are not merely categorical but have important implications for the prognosis and treatment of these conditions. Bipolar disorder, for example, is better treated using mood-stabilizing medication, whereas unipolar depression responds optimally to antidepressant medications. In addition, prognostically, unipolar depression may sometimes be limited to one episode in a lifetime, whereas bipolar disorder is typically a lifelong condition. The course of both conditions, however, is often chronic, and frequently patients can present with unipolar depression only to later develop manic symptoms. A thorough understanding of both conditions is therefore required to treat patients presenting with affective symptomatology. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, etiology and genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. Figures illustrate gray matter differences with lithium use and the bipolar spectrum. Tables list the pharmacokinetics of commonly used antidepressants and medications commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. This review contains 2 figures, 2 tables, and 136 references.

Mood Disorders

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan A Baloch ◽  
Jair C. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Bipolar Spectrum ◽  
Manic Symptoms ◽  
Lifetime History ◽  
History Of

Affective disorders are among the most common disorders in psychiatry. They are generally classified according to the persistence and extent of symptoms and by the polarity of these symptoms. The two poles of the affective spectrum are mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by the presence of the mania or hypomania and often depression. Unipolar depression is defined by depression in the absence of a lifetime history of mania or hypomania. These differences are not merely categorical but have important implications for the prognosis and treatment of these conditions. Bipolar disorder, for example, is better treated using mood-stabilizing medication, whereas unipolar depression responds optimally to antidepressant medications. In addition, prognostically, unipolar depression may sometimes be limited to one episode in a lifetime, whereas bipolar disorder is typically a lifelong condition. The course of both conditions, however, is often chronic, and frequently patients can present with unipolar depression only to later develop manic symptoms. A thorough understanding of both conditions is therefore required to treat patients presenting with affective symptomatology. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, etiology and genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. Figures illustrate gray matter differences with lithium use and the bipolar spectrum. Tables list the pharmacokinetics of commonly used antidepressants and medications commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. This review contains 2 figures, 2 tables, and 135 references.

Mood disorders – review of structural MRI studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 368-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Serap Monkul ◽  
Gin S. Malhi ◽  
Jair C. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Brain Abnormalities ◽  
Prefrontal Cortical ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Background:Mood disorders are related to considerable morbidity and mortality, and although there is little doubt that they are brain-based disorders, their neural correlates still remain elusive. A neuro-anatomic model of mood regulation comprising the prefrontal cortex, amygdala-hippocampus complex, thalamus, basal ganglia, and connections among these areas has been proposed.Objective:We reviewed the evidence for regional brain abnormalities in bipolar disorder, and attempted to integrate available findings into a comprehensive pathophysiological model of illness.Methods:A computerized Medline Ovid search was conducted for the period 1966–2002, and complemented by a manual search of bibliographical references from recent reviews. Articles meeting specified criteria were included.Results:Hyperintense lesions in cortical and subcortical regions are the most consistently reported and widely studied structural abnormalities. Smaller prefrontal cortical volume is a common finding in bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. Enlarged amygdala (in bipolar disorder) and smaller hippocampus (in unipolar depression) have been reported by several groups. Decreased volumes (in unipolar depression) and increased or unaltered volumes (in bipolar disorder) of striatal structures have been reported.Conclusions:Bipolar and unipolar mood disorders are associated with detectable structural brain abnormalities. The histopathology underlying such anatomical changes remains to be elucidated. To reach more definitive conclusions about neuroanatomical changes that take place during the course of mood disorders, prospective longitudinal studies are needed. Also, integration with functional imaging is necessary in order to elucidate the relevance of identified structural abnormalities.

Mood Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan A Baloch ◽  
Jair C. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Bipolar Spectrum ◽  
Manic Symptoms ◽  
Lifetime History ◽  
History Of

Affective disorders are among the most common disorders in psychiatry. They are generally classified according to the persistence and extent of symptoms and by the polarity of these symptoms. The two poles of the affective spectrum are mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by the presence of the mania or hypomania and often depression. Unipolar depression is defined by depression in the absence of a lifetime history of mania or hypomania. These differences are not merely categorical but have important implications for the prognosis and treatment of these conditions. Bipolar disorder, for example, is better treated using mood-stabilizing medication, whereas unipolar depression responds optimally to antidepressant medications. In addition, prognostically, unipolar depression may sometimes be limited to one episode in a lifetime, whereas bipolar disorder is typically a lifelong condition. The course of both conditions, however, is often chronic, and frequently patients can present with unipolar depression only to later develop manic symptoms. A thorough understanding of both conditions is therefore required to treat patients presenting with affective symptomatology. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, etiology and genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. Figures illustrate gray matter differences with lithium use and the bipolar spectrum. Tables list the pharmacokinetics of commonly used antidepressants and medications commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. This review contains 2 figures, 2 tables, and 136 references.

Mood Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan A Baloch ◽  
Jair C. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Bipolar Spectrum ◽  
Manic Symptoms ◽  
Lifetime History ◽  
History Of

Affective disorders are among the most common disorders in psychiatry. They are generally classified according to the persistence and extent of symptoms and by the polarity of these symptoms. The two poles of the affective spectrum are mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by the presence of the mania or hypomania and often depression. Unipolar depression is defined by depression in the absence of a lifetime history of mania or hypomania. These differences are not merely categorical but have important implications for the prognosis and treatment of these conditions. Bipolar disorder, for example, is better treated using mood-stabilizing medication, whereas unipolar depression responds optimally to antidepressant medications. In addition, prognostically, unipolar depression may sometimes be limited to one episode in a lifetime, whereas bipolar disorder is typically a lifelong condition. The course of both conditions, however, is often chronic, and frequently patients can present with unipolar depression only to later develop manic symptoms. A thorough understanding of both conditions is therefore required to treat patients presenting with affective symptomatology. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, etiology and genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. Figures illustrate gray matter differences with lithium use and the bipolar spectrum. Tables list the pharmacokinetics of commonly used antidepressants and medications commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. This review contains 2 figures, 2 tables, and 136 references.

Abnormalities of the HPA axis in affective disorders: clinical subtypes and potential treatments

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 193-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Porter ◽  
Peter Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Psychotic Depression ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Hpa Axis Dysregulation ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
The Brain

Background:New evidence is emerging regarding abnormalities of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in subtypes of affective disorders. Adverse effects of HPA axis dysregulation may include dysfunction of monoaminergic transmitter systems, cognitive impairment and peripheral effects. Newer treatments specifically targeting the HPA axis are being developed.Objective:To review these developments focusing particularly on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist mifepristone.Method:A selective review of the literature.Results:The function of GRs is increasingly being defined. The role of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the brain is also increasingly understood. HPA axis function is particularly likely to be abnormal in psychotic depression and bipolar disorder, and it is in these conditions that trials of the GR antagonist mifepristone are being focused. CRH antagonists and DHEA are also being investigated as potential treatments.Conclusion:Initial studies of mifepristone and other HPA-axis-targeting agents in psychotic depression and bipolar disorder are encouraging and confirmatory studies are awaited.

Structural magnetic resonance imaging markers of susceptibility and transition to schizophrenia: A review of familial and clinical high risk population studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bois ◽  
HC Whalley ◽  
AM McIntosh ◽  
SM Lawrie
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Clinical High Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Neuroimaging Data ◽  
Imaging Markers ◽  
The Brain

There is a growing consensus that a symptomatology as complex and heterogeneous as schizophrenia is likely to be produced by widespread perturbations of brain structure, as opposed to isolated deficits in specific brain regions. Structural brain-imaging studies have shown that several features of the brain, such as grey matter, white matter integrity and the morphology of the cortex differ in individuals at high risk of the disorder compared to controls, but to a lesser extent than in patients, suggesting that structural abnormalities may form markers of vulnerability to the disorder. Research has had some success in delineating abnormalities specific to those individuals that transition to psychosis, compared to those at high risk that do not, suggesting that a general risk for the disorder can be distinguished from alterations specific to frank psychosis. In this paper, we review cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of individuals at familial or clinical high risk of the disorder. We conclude that the search for reliable markers of schizophrenia is likely to be enhanced by methods which amalgamate structural neuroimaging data into a coherent framework that takes into account the widespread distribution of brain alterations, and relates this to leading hypotheses of schizophrenia.

Brain mechanisms in manic depression

1994 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
B J Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Manic Depression ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Activity Information

Abstract Manic depressive illness (bipolar disorder) is the mood disorder classically considered to have a strong biological basis. During manic depressive cycles, patients show dramatic fluctuations of mood, energy, activity, information processing, and behaviors. Theories of brain function and mood disorders must deal with the case of bipolar disorder, not simply unipolar depression. Shifts in the nosologic concepts of how manic depression is related to other mood disorders are discussed in this overview, and the renewed adoption of the Kraepelinian "spectrum" concept is recommended. The variable clinical presentations of manic depressive illness are emphasized. New genetic mechanisms that must be considered as candidate factors in relation to this phenotypic heterogeneity are discussed. Finally, the correlation of clinical symptom clusters with brain systems is considered in the context of a three-component model of manic depression.

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