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Published on: February 1, 2012
Cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging in bipolar disorder
Luke Clark1, Barbara J Sahakian
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom. lc260@cam.ac.uk
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience
|August 12, 2008
Summary
Bipolar disorder involves temporary and persistent brain changes affecting attention, executive function, and emotional processing. Neuroimaging reveals abnormalities in prefrontal, cingulate, amygdala, and striatal circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Bipolar disorder presents with state-dependent psychological changes during episodes and trait-dependent changes persisting through remission.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of these state and trait changes is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on brain systems implicated in state- and trait-related changes in bipolar disorder.
- To identify key neurocognitive deficits and functional neuroimaging findings.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies utilizing indirect measures of neurocognitive function.
- Analysis of functional neuroimaging studies assessing brain activity during cognitive tasks.
Main Results:
- Neurocognitive studies reveal deficits in attention, executive function, and emotional processing in bipolar disorder.
- Functional neuroimaging implicates distributed neural circuitry, including prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and ventral striatum.
Conclusions:
- Significant advances have been made in understanding brain alterations in bipolar disorder.
- Further research is needed on bipolar depression, and the impact of clinical variables like medication and symptom severity.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Brain Imaging
Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
01:30Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
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