Bipolar disorder causes intense mood swings that cause the person to move from deep depression into mania. Bipolar disorder causes both structural and functional abnormalities in the brain. Neuro-imaging tools such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging can be used to study the brains of a bipolar person. Neuropsychological assessment tools can be used to study the cognitive functions of bipolar people.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological assessment can be used to define the cognitive profile of a bipolar patient in different phases of the illness, say Dr. J.K. Trivedi and colleagues in a study published in the "Indian Journal of Medical Research" in November 2007. The authors report that significantly diminished executive functions are common in bipolar patients. Memory, learning, and attention problems are also frequently reported. Although such cognitive deficits are common in this patient group, individual cognitive assessment is needed to find out the strengths and weaknesses of a certain patient with bipolar disorder.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
According to the RadiologyInfo.org, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a widely used medical imaging method that allows the doctor to take clear pictures of the brain's soft tissue. It is safe and painless. Moreover, the scalp has no effect on the results of MRI scans and pictures can be taken from any area of the brain. Dr. S.M. Strakowski and colleagues state in their review study published in the "Molecular Psychiatry" Journal in January 2005 that some commonly reported MRI abnormalities in bipolar patients, such as those in prefrontal cortical areas, striatum and amygdala, may be present even before the onset of this condition. Other structural abnormalities develop during the course of the illness. These include abnormalities in, for example, prefrontal regions.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a method that is based on the same technique as MRI. Unlike MRI that studies the structure of the brain, fMRI is used to study the brain functions. It shows the brain areas that are active when a person is performing certain tasks such as looking at pictures or trying to remember something, states RadiologyInfo.com. According to Dr. J.K. Trivedi and colleagues, fMRI studies have demonstrated that bipolar and healthy individuals show different activation patterns in the limbic regions that are responsible for processing emotions, for example.
References
- "Clinical Psychology Journal"; Assessment Tools for Adult Bipolar Disorder; Christopher J. Miller et al. ; June 2009
- "Indian J Med Res"; Cognitive Functions in Stable Schizophrenia & Euthymic State of Bipolar Disorder; J.K. Trivedi et al.; November 2007
- "Annals of Saudi Medicine Journal"; Cognitive Functions in Euthymic Patients with Bipolar Disorder; Osman Ozdel et al.; vol 27, 2007
- "Molecular Psychiatry Journal"; The Functional Neuroanatomy of Bipolar Disorder; S.M. Strakowski et al.; January 2005
