Genetic Research Aims to Isolate Bipolar Gene
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 15 -- The Indiana University School of Medicine has embarked on a massive search to isolate the
specific gene responsible for bipolar I disorder.
The School's Institute for Psychiatric Research is continuing a collaboration with the National Institute for Mental Health
and 11 other U.S. academic centers. Their goal is to narrow the field from suspect areas of chromosomes to isolate
genes that affect the mental health of thousands of Americans.
The Institute began the collaborative research 15 years ago and has successfully identified areas of genetic linkage on
specific chromosomes. With new funding from the NIMH, the IU researches hope to hone in on the specific gene by
collecting genetic information from 5,000 people with bipolar I disorder. This multi-center trial has received a five-year,
$16 million NIMH grant.
John I. Nurnberger, M.D., Ph.D., the Joyce and Iver Small Professor of Psychiatry and director of the Institute and the
national coordinator for the multi-site study.
Other team leaders at IU School of Medicine are Howard J. Edenberg, Ph.D., Chancellor's Professor and professor of
biochemistry and molecular biology and of medical and molecular genetics and director of the Center for Medical
Genomics, who is heading up the laboratory for the research institutions. Tatiana Foroud, Ph.D., associate professor of
medical and molecular genetics and director of the Division of Hereditary Diseases and Family Studies, is in charge of
the genetic analysis.
The study seeks individuals with Bipolar I affective disorder, the most severe form of the condition, known as manic
depression. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by incapacitating manic episodes that frequently require hospitalization.
The disorder affects 1 percent of the U.S. population, nearly 3 million Americans.
Participants in the study will be interviewed and will give a blood specimen from which a cell line will be developed as
part of a national resource for genetic studies of this disorder. The cell line will provide a source of DNA. All of the
information will become part of a national database that will eventually be available to investigators conducting
NIMH-approved bipolar genetic studies.
The information being collected at IU and the other sites will be added to prior DNA information collected over the past
decade from 4,000 individuals representing 700 families affected by bipolar disorder.
"The ultimate goal of the research is to understand what goes wrong in the brain to cause the illness," said Dr.
Nurnberger. "That information will help with drug and treatment development and ultimately identify people at risk to see
what can be done to prevent the onset of the disorder."
Seventy-five percent of people with the illness have a family member with bipolar disorder or with recurrent depression.
By isolating specific genes involved with the disease, researchers can increase the effectiveness of current treatments
and provide the knowledge needed to develop new treatments.
"The medications for bipolar illness are much better than they used to be, but we still have a long way to go," Dr.
Nurnberger said.
For additional information or to enroll in the study contact Carrie Smiley, R.N., at 317-274-8844, or toll free at
888-750-2201.
For additional information on the IU School of Medicine Institute of Psychiatric Research see http://ipr.iupui.edu/.
For media assistance, contact Mary Hardin, IU School of Medicine Media Relations, 317-274-7722, mhardin@iupui.edu.
Riley Hospital seeks participants for bipolar study
The Riley Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic is seeking children and adolescents for a study investigating the
effectiveness of a medication for treatment of bipolar disorder.
Study patients must be between the ages of 13 to 17 years and must have a current episode of bipolar disorder
(manic-depression). Symptoms include sudden mood swings (from extreme happiness to extreme sadness), attacks of
rage or extreme irritability, bizarre thoughts, silly/uninhibited behavior and lack of sleep with a major increase of energy.
In addition, individuals may experience sadness, irritability, crying spells, withdrawal and feelings of guilt.
Participants will receive a complete evaluation for bipolar disorder at no charge and will be reimbursed for travel
expenses.
For more information, contact Allie Lund at 317- 278-4887, or E-mail at allund@iupui.edu.
IUPUI "Unraveling the Mysteries of Bipolar"