Project Summary

James C. Eliassen, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the University of Cincinnati, plans to use two types of imaging methods—functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRSI)—to identify metabolic changes in the brains of people with bipolar disorder. fMRI studies suggest bipolar disorder is associated with altered brain activity in the anterior limbic network. Despite the identification of the region, the underlying neurophysiological causes of dysfunction remain unknown. Studies of brain chemistry employing MRS suggest bipolar disorder is associated with neurochemical imbalances. To date, however, few studies have directly assessed whether neurochemical abnormalities and functional activation deficits arise in the same brain regions. In the proposed project, Dr. Eliassen proposes to obtain both fMRI and phosphorus MRSI data from bipolar patients. Phosphorus MRSI is sensitive to the levels of various phosphorus compounds associated with metabolic function. By contrasting MRSI data and fMRI data from bipolar patients with healthy subjects, Dr. Eliassen aims to identify regions where both brain chemistry and brain function are abnormal.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar

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