Decreased temporal lobe phosphomonoesters in bipolar disorder

In vivo [31P]magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ([31P]MRSI) was performed on 12 unmedicated, euthymic bipolar patients and 14 control subjects to determine if there were alterations in high-energy P metabolism in the temporal lobes of bipolar patients. Compared with the control group, the patients with bipolar disorder demonstrated significantly lower phosphomonoesters (PME) in both the left and right temporal lobes. No other group differences in P metabolites or lateralized asymmetries were noted. This preliminary study provides support for altered temporal lobe phospholipid metabolism in bipolar disorder.