Development Of A Diagnostic Test For Bipolar Disorder (BD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,330.00
Summary
A unique test that monitors the rate of switching between the hemispheres of the brain in response to visual stimuli has been devised. A patent application covers an apparatus and test to measure the switching rate between the hemispheres and the way in which such measurements can be used as a means to diagnose bipolar disorder (BD). BD, also called manic depression, is a form of depression that currently affects over six million people worldwide with about three million in the USA alone. The co ....A unique test that monitors the rate of switching between the hemispheres of the brain in response to visual stimuli has been devised. A patent application covers an apparatus and test to measure the switching rate between the hemispheres and the way in which such measurements can be used as a means to diagnose bipolar disorder (BD). BD, also called manic depression, is a form of depression that currently affects over six million people worldwide with about three million in the USA alone. The condition has phases of mania and depression and periods of remittance. Full cycles of BD can occur as many as three times a year and for many patients, this is a lifelong condition. BD is effectively treated, once it is diagnosed. It is estimated that 20% of sufferers go undiagnosed and many more are misdiagnosed. The cost of mis- or non-diagnosis is measured by suicides, the financial burden on society with health care, loss of productivity etc, effects on family and associates, crime, etc. Diagnosis to date is achieved mainly by subjective means such as questionnaires. These instruments do not conclusively separate BD from other forms of depression and schizophrenia, for which treatment is quite different. Nor do they allow for factors such as substance abuse and other medical conditions that the patient may be suffering. BD is hereditary with the slow hemispheric switch rate being an indicator of the genetic trait. This phenomenon allows for an objective test for BD, even if an individual has not had an episode of BD. The slow switch allows relatively easy separation of a BD patient from those exhibiting symptoms that may have other causes.Read moreRead less
New research with scanning techniques has confirmed older ideas about the complementary functions of the two hemispheres of the human brain. One major contrast between the two hemispheres concerns their cognitive and emotional styles. The left hemisphere plans and confidently smooths over discrepancies that do not fit the plan while the right hemisphere looks at all possibilities and cautiously highlights the discrepancies. This research project studies the switch between the two hemispheres tha ....New research with scanning techniques has confirmed older ideas about the complementary functions of the two hemispheres of the human brain. One major contrast between the two hemispheres concerns their cognitive and emotional styles. The left hemisphere plans and confidently smooths over discrepancies that do not fit the plan while the right hemisphere looks at all possibilities and cautiously highlights the discrepancies. This research project studies the switch between the two hemispheres that alternately activates these contrasting, but equally valid, viewpoints. The switch is studied directly by optical recording from animal brains. The switch can also be studied in humans using a recent discovery from our laboratory:- that the perceptual rivalries are mediated by a hemispheric switch mechanism. Perceptual rivalry is a phenomenon where continuous, but ambiguous, stimulation leads to a back-and-forth alternation of complementary percepts, a phenomenon that fascinated Salvador Dali and is featured in many of his paintings. The nature of the perceptual switch during rivalry has been debated for centuries. New experiments link perceptual rivalry to the switch of attention between the hemispheres. Using perceptual rivalry as an indirect way to monitor hemispheric switching in humans, we discovered a remarkable feature. The back-and-forth switching process of perceptual rivalry is significantly slower in subjects with bipolar disorder (manic depression), even when they are between episodes and their mood is normal. The timing of the switching process is very stable in an individual, and appears to be similar in identical twins. The speed of the switch mechanism may therefore be inherited. Altered neural rhythms may underly the predisposition, known to run in familes, from which bipolar disorder can be triggered. The aim of the project is to test these propositions about the basis of this common disorder, affecting 1-2% of the population..Read moreRead less
The immune system plays an important role in protecting us from infectious diseases. To do this it regulates a series of cell types that must decide upon an appropriate course. In general, this response is successful and protective. However, occasionally the cells make an inappropriate decision leading to problems. For example, allergies are an incorrect response against pollens and dust mites. Similarly, autoimmune disease such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis result from inappropriate attack ....The immune system plays an important role in protecting us from infectious diseases. To do this it regulates a series of cell types that must decide upon an appropriate course. In general, this response is successful and protective. However, occasionally the cells make an inappropriate decision leading to problems. For example, allergies are an incorrect response against pollens and dust mites. Similarly, autoimmune disease such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis result from inappropriate attack upon our own tissues. Despite the clear importance of immune regulation for health, the complexity of its behaviour has made it difficult to predict and control. In this research program a new theory of immune regulation with clear implications for rational intervention and beneficial manipulation of the immune system will be developed.Read moreRead less