Category Archives: Bipolar disorder

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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The genes involved in bipolar disorder

Research Officer Dr Alex Shaw joined NeuRA after completing a PhD in cancer research. He is investigating the genetic underpinnings of bipolar disorder. There is no single cause of bipolar disorder, but understanding how factors such as brain structure and genetics contribute to its development will help researchers to know how to best diagnose, treat and, hopefully, prevent the disorder. […]

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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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