Associations of multiple trace elements with bipolar disorder in adolescents: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Bipolar disorder (BD) is a significant mental health condition.
• Previous research suggests a link between trace elements and mental disorders.
• The association between trace elements and adolescent BD requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between multiple trace elements and adolescent bipolar disorder (BD).

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 144 adolescent BD patients and 144 matched controls.
• Seventeen urinary elements were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
• Statistical analyses included LASSO, logistic regression, RCS, and BKMR to assess element-BD associations.

Main Results:

• Urinary titanium, manganese, and iodine showed negative correlations with adolescent BD.
• Urinary magnesium and nickel exhibited positive correlations with adolescent BD.
• Non-linear associations were observed for titanium, manganese, iodine, magnesium, nickel, zinc, and strontium; BKMR indicated a joint effect of elements.

Conclusions:

• Urinary titanium, manganese, and iodine levels are negatively correlated with adolescent BD.
• Urinary magnesium and nickel levels are positively correlated with adolescent BD.
• These findings support a significant association between urinary trace elements and adolescent BD.