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September 28, 2001Genetic Links to Bipolar Disorderfiled under Bipolar Disorder Biology
Researchers Find Genetic links to Bipolar Disorder INDIANAPOLIS-- The largest linkage sample to date for bipolar illness has been completed in a collaborative effort by researchers who say the information may have a large impact on treatment of the disease which affects thousands of Americans. The National Institute of Mental Health Genetics Initiative Bipolar Group is composed of researchers from Indiana University, John Hopkins University, the National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program and Washington University. The group is chaired by John Nurnberger Jr., M.D., director of the Institute of Psychiatric Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Manic-depression, also known as bipolar affective disorder, is characterized by severe swings in high and low mood states that generally last weeks or months. It is estimated to affect 3 percent of Americans. Approximately 75 percent of all manic-depressives have at least one close relative with manic-depression or severe depression. "We are finding areas on several different chromosomes that seem to be important for bipolar disorder, not only chromosomes 18 and 21, which were reported before, but also 1, 6, 7, 10 and possibly some other areas, said the group's chairman, John Nurnberger Jr., M.D., director of the Indiana University Institute for Psychiatric Research. "This seems to be a very complex condition, genetically. However, the sample sizes we are able to study now give us hope for sorting out the different types of bipolar illness in terms of their specific chemical causes, and in the future developing treatments targeted to each type," he added. Nurnberger is a psychiatrist who treats many manic-depressive patients, in addition to chairing this long-term research project. In a paper published in Neuropsychiatric Genetics, the group reports initial data from a genomic survey of 540 individuals from 97 families; 230 of the individuals suffered from Bipolar I, the most severe form of manic-depression. The majority of families had at least one affected sibling pair. As with hypertension, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disease is thought to involve more than one gene. The new studies provide powerful evidence for complex inheritance and evidence against single-gene explanations. The research group is composed of researchers from Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University, the National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program and Washington University. The group continues to investigate the genetics of bipolar disorder and is currently studying a second large group of families to try to confirm their initial results. Source: Indiana University Medical School CommentsPost a comment |
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Hello,
My daughters and I took part in 2001 in the genetic study.
Two of my 3 daughters have Biopolar disorder. They are both on maintance drugs and the oldest daughter who was on Lithium is doing better than the youngest who never took Lithium. She has had a much harder and slower recovery. She has a ultra rapid cycle bi polar disorder. Both a more prone to the manic side of the disorder and less the depressive side. My youngest daughter has anxiety disorder also. I now have a granddaughter with behavior problems at the onset of her teens. I am wondering about this being a medical problem with bi polar.
I hope that there will soon be a way to quickly identify this disorder and treat it before it causes such craziness and dispair in families.
Knowledge is power and so I hope that you acquire all the knowledge about this illness. It is past the time for
bipolar families to have power over this illness.
Marilyn Kamm
Posted by: Marilyn Kamm at June 20, 2005 1:55 PM
Hi,
I have just found out that I suffer from bipolar. I know there is a history of depression in my family on both sides. This is making me not want to ever have children. I hope more people will be educated on this topic so that we can learn to live with it as human family.
Posted by: Rachel Grafton at August 8, 2005 10:03 AM
To all,
I am 24 and have been diagnosed with Bipolar. Life has been hard, up and down like a rollercoaster. There are days, when I ask God, why I am still here.
Today is my first day when I will be taking my first tablet of medication. I am looking forward to medication helping me, as I feel I have gotton worse.
Bipolar can be so blinding and fog your decisions in life. I have found it very hard to stay in a job.
I would like to have Kids, but pray they get my husbands genes not mine. It is very important to educate this in the community.
For all who are suffering with Bipolar, it is vital that you have the support of counselors, doctors.
I am seeing 3. When one is not available, I know another is there. Its great when I see all three in One day, as I see my Counsellor, G.P, and my Psychotherapist/Hypnotherapist.
They help me see my Bipolar and help me see things clearly when I suffer my really low points.
My thoughts are with all, as we suffer and fight this Bipolar.
Take Care.
Denise xoxoxox
Posted by: Denise Nehme at August 25, 2005 7:18 PM
My husband is suffering with bipolar disorder. Because of his medication his whole personality has changed completely. He went from a passionate, romantic, sensative man to a insensative,non-caring human being. He has been taking several different types of medication and none have helped. Please help us by recommending the best medication or doctors.
Posted by: Julie at October 11, 2005 8:49 PM