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Basic data for bipolar disorders: genetics, neurobiology and pharmacology
Medizinische Monatsschrift Fur Pharmazeuten
|June 30, 2018
Summary
Bipolar disorders have high heritability, but individual gene contributions are small. Mitochondrial dysfunction may unify findings, and anticonvulsants might enhance neuronal plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Bipolar disorder affects 1-2% of the population with significant genetic heritability (~80%).
- Individual gene contributions to bipolar disorder risk are minimal.
- Known genes implicated in bipolar disorder are associated with neural plasticity, mitochondrial function, dopamine, and calcium channels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of bipolar disorder.
- To explore potential unifying mechanisms for observed alterations.
- To examine the pharmacological mechanisms of mood-stabilizing drugs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of genetic studies in bipolar disorder.
- Analysis of neurobiological findings in patient brains.
- Pharmacological review of mood-stabilizing medications.
Main Results:
- No single gene explains a significant portion of bipolar disorder heritability.
- Neurobiological findings, including mitochondrial dysfunction, suggest altered neural plasticity and neurotransmission.
- Anticonvulsants used in bipolar disorder may act by enhancing neuronal plasticity, distinct from their anticonvulsant effects.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction presents a potential unifying concept for bipolar disorder neurobiology.
- The therapeutic mechanisms of certain bipolar disorder drugs, particularly anticonvulsants, may involve enhancing neuronal plasticity.
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