MRI Analysis of Bipolar and Non-Bipolar Adolescents: Comparing Brain Volume to the Intensity/Duration and Type of Medication

Jennifer A. Johnson

Previous research found that adolescents with bipolar disorder display less brain mass in areas such as the hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus, the variables that have been suggested to be the basis behind this complication are the strength/ length of the disorder, and types of medication.  This study was devised to see if there are any significant correlations between the brain abnormalities and these variables, when comparing bipolar/non-bipolar participants over a four year period.  It is hypothesized that bipolar participants are more likely to have brain irregularities when the intensity and duration of the disorder is higher.   There will be 60-80 participants ranging from ages 6 to 18 in areas of NY, NJ and PA. New York Presbyterian Hospital will be where the interviews, evaluations and MRI analyses will be taken for all three trials. If the results concur with our hypothesis, there can be future procedures taken to discover if the brain abnormalities are a result or cause of the disorder.

*This proposal was written in partial fulfillment of requirements for an undergraduate research methods course and is not intended to be carried out.*