Regional gray matter changes in bipolar disorder: a voxel-based morphometric study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate structural abnormalities in bipolar disorder (BD) using optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in closely matched patients and controls, and to examine the relationship of clinical features with regional gray matter (GM) volumes.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients (six male) aged 19-59 years (mean=38.21 years, SD=11.04 years) with DSM-IV bipolar I disorder were compared with 25 control subjects, matched on age, sex, and years of education. VBM analyses were conducted on high-resolution T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging to detect regional GM volume differences between groups, ensuring statistical correlation for age, sex and total intracranial volumes. Within the patient groups, regional GM changes were also investigated.


RESULTS
Compared to controls, BD patients had increased GM volume in left parahippocampal gyrus and decreased GM volume in left middle temporal gyrus. Family history, psychotic symptoms and lithium status were associated with regional GM abnormalities in BD patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents evidence of gray matter volume abnormalities in adults with bipolar I disorder. Regional variation in relation to clinical factors suggests a neurobiological basis for clinical heterogeneity and posits the possibility of trait deficits.
Chen
Xiaohua
X
Neuropsychiatric Institute, Euroa Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. xiaohua.chen@student.unsw.edu.au
Wen
Wei
W
Malhi
Gin S
GS
Ivanovski
Belinda
B
Sachdev
Perminder S
PS
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000187:drug effects; D020534:Parahippocampal Gyrus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D016651:Lithium Carbonate