The collaborative development of common or complementary protocols or methods to increase the knowledge yield from clinical resources is encouraged. Clinical, Biological, and Treatment Research, is related to the priority area of mental health and mental disorders. Women and minority investigators are encouraged to apply. Because some of these grant mechanisms have specific program announcements with distinct application procedures and deadlines, applicants should consult with NIMH staff concerning choice of mechanism. Bipolar disorder can have serious long-term effects and is often associated with significant psychosocial impairment, lost work productivity, and high morbidity and services utilization.
Bipolar illness is also a significant risk factor for suicide.
Deaths by suicide are at least 35 times that found in the general population. There is evidence from epidemiologic and family studies of trends toward earlier onset of bipolar illness and, possibly, of increased prevalence in younger birth cohorts. The factors underlying these effects are unclear, but early onset is generally associated with increased familial risk. The presentation of bipolar disorder in clinical settings is increasingly complicated by comorbid substance abuse, especially in younger age groups. Despite the high prevalence of comorbid bipolar disorder and substance or alcohol abuse, there is relatively little research with this population.