Project Summary

Sheila C. Caetano, M.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, plans to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) to determine if reduced levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in the dorsolateral prefontral cortex is associated with bipolar disorder. Although lower levels of NAA have been found in adults, children and adolescents with bipolar disease, the studies were limited because of prior or current use of medications. In the proposed study, Dr. Caetano will evaluate with MRI/MRS children of parents with bipolar disease because the offspring are four times more likely to suffer from mood disorders yet are only at an early stage of disease and are not taking medications. Besides having lower NAA levels compared with healthy controls, Dr. Caetano hypothesizes the high-risk children will have larger amygdala volume compared with children whose parents do not have psychiatric disease. Dr. Caetano will recruit 30 children and adolescents between 8 and 17 years old who have at least one bipolar parent and 30 matched healthy controls. The characterization of early neurobiological changes in bipolar patients may identify high-risk individuals who could receive more targeted interventions.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar

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