title: Diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain in bipolar disorder: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some investigations strongly support a role of glial abnormalities in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. The degree of white matter axonal and myelination disruption is measured through the rate of water molecule diffusion. High ADC measures correspond to relatively unimpeded water diffusion, while low ADC measures reflect preserved myelinated axons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parietal and occipital areas may be involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, particularly in cognition and perception, along with the prefrontal and temporal cortices for the disruption of emotional processing. In the literature the widespread alterations of the cortical white matter microstructure is documented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case reports demonstrates the features of the increased mean ADC values in the left occipital lobe. Future DWI studies are expected to investigate the correlation of white matter changes with the functional impairment, which often persists during euthymia in bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czarnowska-Cubała
authors.forename: Mariusz S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wiglusz
authors.forename: Wiesław Jerzy
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cubała
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landowski
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krysta
mesh_terms: D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000502:physiology; D066127:White Matter / Q000503:physiopathology