Pathophysiology of Bipolar disorder

The pathophysiology of bipolar disorder refers to the changes of normal physiological

and biochemical functions associated with the illness. Understanding the pathophysiology of
bipolar disorder is an ultimate goal of many researchers and clinicians, but to date it remains
poorly understood. We still don’t know all the physical factors involved in the development of
bipolar disorder, but fortunately researchers are continuing to learn new information all the
time.
Biological Differences
Imaging studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder appear to have structural
changes in their brains that may be related to the causes of their disorder. Brain areas such as
the amygdala, basal ganglia, and prefrontal cortex have all been shown to have physical
differences in people with bipolar disorder when compared to those without a mental illness. In
addition, people with bipolar disorder also show abnormal myelination in some areas of the
brain..This suggests that damage to the areas of the brain that regulate emotion may be a
cause of bipolar disorder.
Neurotransmitters and Hormones
Bipolar disorder and other mood disorders seem to be associated with an imbalance in
brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, norepinephrine, and
dopamine. An imbalance in hormone levels may also be present in people with bipolar disorder.
Genetics
There is clearly a hereditary component to bipolar disorder, as people with a close blood
relative with bipolar disorder are significantly more likely to develop the disorder themselves.
The genetic causes of bipolar disorder are complex, with more than one gene involved in
development of the disorder. Past research studies have pointed to a handful of genes that
seem to play a role in bipolar disorder, and additional studies are ongoing.