Evaluation of the Genetics of Bipolar Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study looks to identify genes that may affect a person's chances of developing bipolar disorder (BP) and related conditions.

Detailed Description
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Bipolar affective disorder is a severe, heritable condition affecting about one percent of the population. The mode of inheritance is poorly understood and probably involves multiple loci of small to moderate effect. In this project, we use genetic mapping and sequencing methods to identify genetic markers and variations that contribute to the risk of bipolar disorder. Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder are studied, along with their relatives. Phenotypic information obtained from clinical interviews and family history is correlated with genotypic information obtained from genetic marker and sequencing methods. The goal is to identify genes involved in bipolar disorder and related conditions so that better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention can be developed.

Official Title
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Bipolar Genetics: A Collaborative Study

Conditions
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Bipolar Disorder

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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INCLUSION CRITERIA: Age > 18 yr Able to provide informed consent Bipolar disorder or related conditions not attributable to substance abuse, neurological disease; or a 1st or 2nd degree relative of an enrolled participant. Related conditions are defined as those found more often among relatives of people with bipolar disorder or which have been shown to be genetically correlated with bipolar disorder through molecular genetic studies. These include major depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Able to safely provide a blood or saliva sample EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Active alcohol or substance abuse. NIMH employees/staff and their immediate family members will be excluded from the study per NIMH policy.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Healthy Volunteers<br>Healthy volunteers | |
| Patients<br>Patients with bipolar disorder | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diagnosis of bipolar disorder or related mental illness by direct interview | Psychiatric diagnosis is based on systematic review of established signs and symptoms, using an instrument designed to elicit retrospective information of known reliability, supplemented with information from family informants, any medical records, and by dimensional symptom measures. | Diagnosis is established primarily at the initial study visit. Participants who consent to recontact are re-evaluated when they or family informants report events that could lead to a revised diagnosis. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Affective Disorder, Depression, Genetic Polymorphisms, Major Depression, Genome-Wide Scan, Natural History, Panic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder