Project Summary

Caleb M. Adler, M.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of University of Cincinnati, notes that evidence suggests that significant cognitive deficits persist during euthymic periods in bipolar patients. Repeated affective episodes are associated with decrements in cognitive performance, suggesting possible neuropathic effects as decrements in cognitive performance have been hypothesized to represent elements of a dysfunctional network that includes a dysconnectivity syndrome involving white matter pathways. Dr. Adler will use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to exam the integrity of white matter tracts that may be involved. He now proposes to use DTI to study differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) between healthy subjects, first episode bipolar patients, and multi-episode patients. Identifying the nature and location of white matter pathology in bipolar patients and comparing DTI findings in first and multi-episode patients will help to clarify the effects of affective episodes on white matter integrity. He hypothesizes that patient with bipolar disorder will show decreased FA, compared with healthy controls, and that decrements in FA will be more pronounced in multi, versus first episode, patients.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar

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