Bipolar Disorder

Research

Mayo Clinic continually conducts clinical trials to improve the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Mayo is a leader in pharmacogenomics research, the study of how genetic factors can predict a person's response to a medication. One focus of Mayo research is connecting specific genetic profiles with responses to specific antidepressant drugs used to treat bipolar disorder. Researchers also are using MRS spectroscopy, a neuroimaging technique, to try to identify the causes of bipolar disorder in adults.

Mayo psychiatrists are collaborating with radiology researchers and molecular pharmacologists to determine the biological basis of pediatric bipolar disorder. Additionally, they are using new brain imaging techniques to determine the effect of treatment on the brain chemicals of children with bipolar disorder. Read more about neuroimaging research at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic also is conducting an innovative clinical trial to determine which treatments are safe and effective for children's developing brains. Mood-stabilizing drugs, used to treat adults with bipolar disorder, pose significant risks for children and can be ineffective. Mayo researchers are testing the use of omega-3 fatty acids, the main ingredients of fish oil, to treat bipolar disorder or severe mood swings in children between ages 10 and 17. Learn about psychiatry and psychology research at Mayo Clinic.

Publications

See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic physicians and researchers on bipolar disorder on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.