Bipolar 1 Patients Sought for a New Study

The Institute of Psychiatric Research at Indiana University School of Medicine is looking for patients who have bipolar I disorder to participate in a study on the genetics of this mood disorder. The researchers are also looking for children of bipolar patients for this study.

This study is not a clinical drug trial nor does it provide treatment, it merely looks at the genetics of the millions of Americans who have bipolar 1 disorder. 

The diagnosis and inheritance of bipolar 1 disorder has long been an area of special interest and research at the IU School of Medicine with a goal of enhanced quality of life for patients with this illness. It is clear to researchers the bipolar1 disorder is inherited.

Every bipolar patient involved in the study need to complete an interview. This interview is about their daily lives, current medications, and symptoms. It also includes an in-depth look into the family history to see the bipolar 1 disorder connections. Each bipolar patient is also required to donate a sample of blood for the researchers to study.

In addition, IU researchers seek young people, ages 12 - 21, with a parent with a bipolar disorder. This study will look at risk factors for developing the illness, as they know those children may have symptoms of the disorder present..

Evidence indicates that bipolar disorder is a common problem, occurring in one to three percent of the general population. The disorder also appears to present in families and it is hereditary.

Close relatives such as children of the patient suffering from bipolar illness are 3 to 6 times more likely to develop either depression or manic-depressive illness than the general population. If both parents have bipolar the chances of the child having is are increased as one would normally expect.