Brain Imaging

Brain Imaging Research
In addition to conducting clinical trials, the Division of Bipolar Disorders Research also conducts brain imaging research studies. These studies are supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, and by foundations such as the National Alliance for the Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, the Heinz C. Prechter Foundation, and the Stanley Medical Research Institute. We are conducting many studies in children, adolescents, and adults with bipolar disorder and ADHD using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which takes pictures of brain structure, function and chemistry without the use of X-rays or invasive procedures. 

How MRI works
The MRI scanner is a large, high-powered, magnetic tube that generates and records invisible magnetic wave signals. With the aid of computers and programs developed specifically for MRI use, a three-dimensional representation of the brain can be obtained. Our research group has the unique opportunity to use the University of Cincinnati Center for Imaging Research's MRI scanner that produces higher-quality pictures than most scanners available today in the U.S. Because of the picture quality, more subtle changes in the brain may be detected than the conventional MRI scanner.

Why is MRI research important for bipolar disorder research?
Usually, people think of an MRI scan as something their doctor will refer them to when they have an injury or physical illness. Most people do not think of MRI scans as being useful in the mental health field.

Although it is currently not possible to diagnose an individual with a mental illness based on what their MRI looks like, our research group uses the pictures generated by MRI to understand what regions of the brain are different in size, function and chemistry between groups of people with bipolar disorder and groups of people without bipolar disorder. Eventually, we may be able to use this information to identify which patients may be more likely to respond to specific medications.

We are often seeking various types of people to participate in these studies.
As with the clinical drug trials, imaging study participation is voluntary and requires people to be able to participate actively in the informed consent process.