N‐acetylaspartate levels in bipolar offspring with and at high‐risk for bipolar disorder

Abstract

Our findings suggest that DLPFC NAA/Cr ratios cannot be used as a trait marker for BD. Although we did not find decreased DLPFC NAA/Cr ratios in children and adolescents with BD, it is still possible that such levels begin to decrease after longer durations of illness into adulthood. Longitudinal neuroimaging studies of patients with BD accounting for developmental and treatment factors are needed to further clarify the neurodegenerative aspects of BD.

Prevention of bipolar disorder in at-risk children: Theoretical assumptions and empirical foundations

“…The PFC likely suffers neurodegeneration with prolonged bipolar illness (Strakowski et al, 2002;Rajkowska, Halaris, & Selemon, 2001;Gallelli et al, 2005;Manji & Duman, 2001). Stress from repeated mood episodes has been postulated to be causal to this process (Hashimoto, Shimizu, & Iyo, 2004;Rajkowska, 2000), leading to less prefrontal mood regulation and greater cycling and treatment resistance (Chang et al, 2004).…”

Large positive effect of lithium on prefrontal cortex N-acetylaspartate in patients with bipolar disorder: 2-centre study

“…For example, short treatment duration, low doses, lack of Li monitoring in the Li-treated group, and past or recent exposure to Li in the comparison group may diminish the effect size and contribute to false-negative findings. In addition, neurochemical brain changes, which are absent in participants at genetic risk for bipolar disorder, 18,19 start appearing early in the course of illness [20][21][22] and tend to be associated with duration of illness. 23,24 As a result, studying the effects of Li on NAA would ideally require controlling for and maximizing the illness burden.…”

Facial Emotion Labeling Deficits in Children and Adolescents at Risk for Bipolar Disorder

“…While most studies of children at risk for bipolar disorder have focused on clinical description (12), more recent work has also examined potential neurophysiological (13) and neuropsychological (14) deficits. Research should build on this work by assessing the processing of emotional stimuli in first-degree relatives of bipolar patients.…”