Bipolar Research Projects

The Prechter Bipolar Research Fund is helping to lay the new foundation of medical research. The fund brings together national collaborators, thereby creating larger sample sizes to be made available to scientists around the world. It is increasingly apparent that a detailed longitudinal course of study is necessary to understand the underpinnings of Bipolar Disorder. Understanding how the interactions between individual and his/her environment result in the manifestation of Bipolar Disorder is pivotal to the development of novel treatment strategies. The Prechter Bipolar research team continues to identify and evaluate individuals with Bipolar Disorder and unaffected “control” individuals in a methodical, systematic manner. Participants are enrolled in the fund’s flagship project: the Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder, whose data contributes to the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Repository. Follow-up has been successful and is moving into the fourth year of data collection.

With the emergence of novel interventions and technologies, participants with specific criteria for enrollment may be quickly assembled for additional study. The infrastructure established with the Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder allows for pilot studies, such as the following two to be completed in record time.

A Metabolomic Study of Bipolar Disorder. In an effort to identify novel metabolic bio-markers of Bipolar illness, we have collected blood from over 201 individuals with and without Bipolar Disorder. Using these blood samples, we will utilize a multi-step gas and liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry process to assess metabolic profiles from peripheral blood samples of individuals with and without Bipolar Disorder. This work is in collaboration with Chris Beecher PhD, from the U-M Pathology Department. We hypothesize the presence of a distinct metabolic profile in bipolar disorder as compared to control subjects. A grant submission is being prepared for the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR). This federally funded U-M Institute is charged with providing seed monies to develop projects (with more preliminary data) to the point of being able to compete for federal funding. 

Event Related Potentials (ERP) in Bipolar Disorder.   In Collaboration with Dr. Patricia Deldin and the department of psychology, the Prechter Bipolar research team has initiated a new and exciting investigation of electrophysiological correlates of cognitive functioning in Bipolar subjects.  In the electrophysiology laboratory of the University of Michigan Depression Center volunteer subjects undergo detailed EEG testing, which include event related potential studies (ERP).  These studies include a full day in the lab where brain waves are recorded in our subjects while they perform a series of tasks designed to measure aspects of cognitive functioning such as attention, impulsivity and emotion recognition.  We hope to understand, not only the differences between Bipolar subjects and unaffected controls, but also, develop a better understanding of the protective and risk factors leading to differences in clinical outcome among Bipolar subjects themselves. To date our group has collected pilot data on approximately 30 subjects, both Bipolar and controls.  The preliminary findings, which indicates differences in response inhibition, a key element of impulsive behavior, has been the basis for several recent grant applications to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NARSAD and MICHR, and plans for federal funding through the NIMH.

To learn more about research, contact a Prechter Research Associate at:
1-877-UM GENES (1-877-864-3637) or bpresearch@umich.edu