Project Summary

Melissa P. DelBello, M.D., (Independent Investigator 2006) of the University of Cincinnati, aims to use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) imaging methods to identify biomarkers of abnormal metabolism in the brains of adolescents with bipolar disorder. The onset of bipolar disorder most commonly occurs during adolescence, but the brain abnormalities that underlie adolescent bipolar disorder remain poorly understood. Several investigators have hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction, and consequently, abnormalities in cellular metabolism, may be a core trait of bipolar disorder. MRS is a non-invasive technique that provides in vivo measurement of the concentration of specific biochemicals in localized brain regions and therefore, might be useful for identifying neurochemical abnormalities associated with bipolar disorder. Indeed, recent MRS studies indicate that abnormalities in neurochemical markers of cellular metabolism are present in prefrontal brain regions of adolescents and adults with bipolar disorder. However, because of the differences in clinical characteristics among the patients in these studies it remains unclear whether these abnormalities represent core trait characteristics of bipolar disorder (i.e., occur independent of mood state), are affective state-dependent neurochemical alterations (i.e., occur only during mood episodes), or are the neurochemical effects of medication exposure. Dr. Delbello, therefore, aims to use MRS to define prefrontal neurochemical abnormalities associated with adolescent bipolar disorder. Understanding these neurobiological characteristics of bipolar adolescents may provide targets for treatment development and be predictors of treatment response, which are currently lacking in bipolar disorder and may be more difficult to identify later in the course of illness.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar\Bipolar I

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