title: The role of the aminergic systems in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.
abstract: Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a major medical and social burden, but little is known about the specific pathophysiology of BPD. The key biogenic amines in the aminergic system include serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and acetylcholine (ACh). By analyzing these neurotransmitters, this chapter highlights three hypotheses in the pathophysiology of BPD: the biogenic amine hypothesis, the cholinergic-aminergic balance hypothesis, and the permissive hypothesis. Evidence from select studies of cerebrospinal fluid, postmortem subjects, neuroimaging, genetic factors, and pharmacological agents will be used to reconcile these hypotheses. Possible explanations for discrepancies in these hypotheses are given, and directions for future studies are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 1094, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway, espen.walderhaug@psykologi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walderhaug
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Michelle San
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pedro
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neumeister
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D000109:Acetylcholine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine