Bipolar Disorder Brain Imaging Study

STUDY BASICS

Have you been diagnosed with bipolar I or II disorder? Are you right-handed and between the ages of 18-45? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to learn more about how people process emotions. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is an illness that causes extreme mood changes from manic episodes of very high energy to the extreme lows of depression. The purpose of this study is to learn more about how people with bipolar disorder process emotions by measuring brain function during a card guessing game. Researchers hope to gain a better understanding of brain function in people with bipolar disorder, and develop better ways to diagnose and treat these disorders in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-45
• Right-handed
• Diagnosed with bipolar I or II disorder

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study involves 3 study visits, each lasting about 3 hours. The initial screening visit includes a clinical interview, medical and psychiatric history, questionnaires, a vision test, a short reading and memory test, and assessment of your current mood. Participants who qualify for the study will be asked to return for 2 scanning visits. Each visit will involve a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan, an imaging technique for measuring brain function. fMRI is non-invasive and does not involve radiation. During the scan, you will be asked to complete tasks on a computer, including a game of chance.