Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder affects up to 1.5% of the population, with illness relapse rates estimated at between 37% and 44% per year, a total mortality elevated by 58% (predominantly from suicide and cardiovascular disease), and syndromic recovery after one year post manic or mixed episodes only at 48%. Whilst it is clear clinically that mood dysregulation, or affective instability, is a key symptom of the disorder, and despite findings from studies demonstrating attentional biases towards, and emotion labeling deficits for, emotive stimuli in individuals with bipolar disorder,  the nature of the neural mechanism underlying the affective instability remains poorly understood. Clarification of this mechanism will be crucial for the future development of effective therapeutic interventions for this common but poorly-treated disorder.


How do I participate?