People with bipolar disorder suffer from an accelerated shrinking of their brain, a Health Foundation researcher has found.
Imaging studies carried out four years apart showed loss of brain tissue in the areas controlling memory, face recognition and co-ordination. The findings, published in Biological Psychiatry, back observations that people with the disorder lose brain function over time.
Study leader Dr Andrew McIntosh, a Health Foundation Clinician Scientist Fellow, said the study could not show whether the loss of brain tissue was a cause or consequence of the disease.
"It may be that repeated episodes of illness harm the brain and lead to the decline," he said. "Another possibility is that the brain changes are caused by stress or genetic factors, which tend to lead both to more frequent illness episodes and to greater brain loss.
"No matter which way round it is, it emphasises in my mind the importance of maintaining people in remission and the importance of getting them the best treatment."
Through our Clinician Scientist Fellowships, The Health Foundation is supporting talented people with cutting-edge research proposals that have the potential to improve patient care.
"Andrew's research throws new light on what happens to people with bipolar disorder," Health Foundation Assistant Director Jan Walmsley said. "We expect that it will lead to real improvements in the quality of care for people with this condition."