Individuals Sought For Bipolar Research At Indiana University

Main Category: Bipolar
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 11 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The Institute of Psychiatric Research at Indiana University School of Medicine seeks individuals diagnosed with bipolar I disorder to participate in a research study on the genetics of mood disorder. This study is not a clinical drug trial nor does it provide treatment.

The diagnosis and inheritance of bipolar disorder has long been an area of special interest and research at the IU School of Medicine with a goal of improved quality of life for patients with this illness. Each participant in the study will be asked to complete an interview about themselves and their family history and donate a blood sample for genetic analysis.

In addition, IU researchers seek young people, ages 12 - 21, with a parent with bipolar disorder. This study will look at risk factors for developing the illness.

Evidence indicates that bipolar disorder is a fairly common affliction, occurring in one to three percent of the general population. The disease also appears to present in families. Close relatives of people suffering from bipolar illness are three to six times more likely to develop either depression or manic-depressive illness than the general population. Unlike major depression, which can occur at any age, manic-depressive illness generally begins before the age of 30.

Visit the IU Institute of Psychiatric Research at http://www.iupui.edu/~bipolar to learn more about these studies.

http://www.indiana.edu