Investigating sex-related differences in brain structure and function in bipolar I disorder using multimodal MRI.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Bipolar I disorder involves significant brain structure and function changes.
• Sex-related differences in bipolar I disorder manifestation and progression are noted.
• Understanding sex-by-diagnosis interactions is crucial for clarifying brain alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex-by-diagnosis interactions in brain structure and function.
• To identify sex-specific alterations in individuals with bipolar I disorder.
• To explore how diagnosis and sex influence brain features.

Main Methods:

• Structural and functional MRI data from 105 bipolar I disorder patients and 210 controls.
• Voxel-wise analysis of gray matter volume and functional connectivity.
• General linear regression model including sex-by-diagnosis interaction.

Main Results:

• Significant sex-by-diagnosis interactions found in gray matter volume in caudate and thalamus regions.
• Interactions also observed in the anterior and middle/posterior cingulate gyrus.
• Functional connectivity between the left thalamus and right angular gyrus showed a significant interaction.

Conclusions:

• Male bipolar I disorder patients exhibit greater gray matter volume and altered limbic system connectivity than females.
• Findings suggest sex-related differences in limbic system pathophysiology in bipolar I disorder.
• Results may inform personalized treatment strategies for bipolar I disorder.