Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar 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.

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Multi-Site Observational Evaluation of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association Model of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Veteran Trauma Survivors.

International journal of environmental research and public health·2025

Same author

Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Elucidate Neurophysiological Mechanism of Action of Equine-Assisted Services: Proof-of-Concept Study.

International journal of environmental research and public health·2025

Same author

Veterans' engagement in mindfulness practices following intervention.

Psychological services·2025

Same author

Examining the Psychological Measures and Feasibility of Recreational Trail Rides in Reducing Cravings for Addictive Substances among Veterans: A Replication Pilot Study.

Military medicine·2024

Same author

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Veterans and Military Personnel on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The American journal of psychiatry·2024

Same author

Design and Harmonization Approach for the Multi-Institutional Neurocognitive Discovery Study (MINDS) of Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Neuroimaging Ancillary Study: A Technical Note.

Journal of cardiovascular development and disease·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: March 14, 2025

Differences in functional connectivity in major depression versus bipolar II depression.

William R Marchand¹, James N Lee, Susanna Johnson

¹George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VHASLCHCS 116 OP, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA. wmarchand@me.com

Journal of Affective Disorders

|February 26, 2013

Summary

Functional connectivity in the right posterior cingulate cortex may help differentiate unipolar and bipolar II depression. This brain region

Keywords:

Bipolar disorder Functional MRI Major depression Posterior cingulate

More Related Videos

MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder

MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: August 11, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: March 14, 2025

MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder

MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: August 11, 2015

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Medical Imaging

Background:

Accurate diagnosis of unipolar versus bipolar depression is crucial for effective treatment.
Objective diagnostic methods are needed to improve current diagnostic capabilities.
Brain function analysis using functional MRI (fMRI) may offer a way to differentiate these mood disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if functional MRI (fMRI) and functional connectivity analyses can differentiate between bipolar II depression and unipolar depression.
To explore potential neural markers for distinguishing these two depressive conditions.

Main Methods:

Functional MRI (fMRI) and functional connectivity analyses were employed.
The study included 14 subjects diagnosed with bipolar II depression.
Twenty-six subjects with recurrent unipolar depression participated in the study.

Main Results:

Functional connectivity of the right posterior cingulate cortex was found to differentiate bipolar II depression from unipolar depression.
In unipolar depression, connectivity in this region correlated with depression severity and suicidal ideation.
This association between connectivity and clinical factors was not observed in bipolar II depression.

Conclusions:

Functional connectivity in the right posterior cingulate cortex shows potential as a biomarker to differentiate unipolar from bipolar II depression.
This connectivity pattern may also be linked to suicide risk and symptom severity in unipolar depression.
Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted, especially for correlational analyses.