Brain scans could distinguish bipolar from depression

Nick Perdion
Sep 5, 2018 · 2 min read
Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash

Researchers at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research may have uncovered the ability to properly distinguish between depressive and bipolar disorders.

While depression is mostly characterized by lacking energy, enthusiasm, or pleasure over an extended period of time, bipolar disorder also incorporates manic episodes which can involve dramatic mood swings from depressive symptoms to abnormally persistent elevated mood with an increase in goal driven behavior.

These subtle observable differences often make it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. It is believed that up to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder are initially misdiagnosed with depression, and a misdiagnosis can take years to correct if ever corrected.

New research has been studying a brain structure involved with emotional processing called the amygdala. The research suggests that the amygdala responds differently in bipolar and depression when exposed to facial expressions of different emotions.

The key difference found was a reduction in activity on the left side of the amygdala in bipolar patients compared to depressed patients.

While this may seem like it would hardly make the difference, these two conditions are treated drastically differently, meaning a incorrect diagnosis leads to a patient taking medication that wont help their condition, and may also lead to even more unwanted side effects.

While these are only early findings, phase 2 research is now underway with high expectations.

For more information please visit ScienceDaily.

Question: Do you know anyone who has struggled with mood disorder treatment? What are some of the implications you can foresee related to these new developments in proper diagnosis/treatment of depression/bipolar disorder?

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This is a publication for the Center for Drug Information and Natural Products at MCPHS University

Thanks to Lana Camiel

Nick Perdion

Written by

Medication Health News

This is a publication for the Center for Drug Information and Natural Products at MCPHS University

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