Author Archives: Jan Fullerton

Major Sequencing Study for Bipolar Disorder

Around 250,000 Australians are affected by bipolar disorder, a major mood disorder characterised by periods of mania and depression, which can be highly debilitating. People living with bipolar disorder can face a range of issues, including escalating impulsive risk-taking behaviour and reduced life expectancy, leading to increased suicide risk and higher rates of general health conditions such as cardiovascular disease.  […]

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Genes may determine how well bipolar treatment works

The discovery of genetic markers that determine how well a patient responds to lithium may change how bipolar disorder is treated. Lithium is the most commonly prescribed mood stabilising drug used for the treatment for bipolar disorder. However, it only works effectively in about a third of patients. Another third do partially well when prescribed lithium and the remaining third […]

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What can our genes tell us about mental illness?

Bipolar disorder affects 350,000 Australians, and has been ranked in the top 20 most disabling disorders globally, making it even more disabling than depression. Dr Jan Fullerton‘s research aims to better understand how genes contribute to bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterised by oscillating periods of mania and depression. These changes in mood are sometimes accompanied by psychotic episodes and escalating impulsive and […]

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