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Familial leukoencephalopathy in bipolar disorder

E P Ahearn1, D C Steffens, F Cassidy

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., USA.

The American Journal of Psychiatry
|November 13, 1998
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormalities in deep white matter and subcortical gray nuclei in a family with a history of bipolar disorder. These findings may indicate a potential biological marker for the disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Genetics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Bipolar disorder is associated with observable changes in deep white matter and subcortical gray nuclei.
  • These changes are often detected as focal hyperintensities on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Understanding the genetic underpinnings of bipolar disorder is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate potential MRI abnormalities in family members with and without bipolar disorder.
  • To examine a family with a strong genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder.
  • To explore the relationship between MRI findings and affective illness within families.

Main Methods:

  • Acquired MRI scans from 21 members of a single family with a significant history of bipolar disorder.
  • Categorized family members based on diagnosed affective disorders, including bipolar disorder, unipolar disorder, and absence of illness.
  • Analyzed MRI results for the presence of lesions in white matter and subcortical gray nuclei.

Main Results:

  • MRI findings were present in 15 out of 21 family members.
  • Abnormalities were detected in all family members with bipolar disorder.
  • Notably, MRI findings were also observed in 60% of family members without affective disorder, indicating white matter and subcortical gray nuclei lesions.

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence of MRI findings in both affected and unaffected family members suggests a potential biological marker for bipolar disorder.
  • Further research into the link between leukoencephalopathy, chromosome 19, and bipolar disorder may clarify the genetic basis of the illness.
  • These MRI findings, while their clinical significance is yet unknown, could aid in characterizing the genetics of bipolar disorder.

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