BACKGROUND: Several studies assessing volumetric measurements of regional brain structure in bipolar disorder have been published in recent years, but their results have been inconsistent. Our aim was to complete a meta-analysis of regional morphometry in bipolar disorder as assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of MRI studies of bipolar disorder and identified studies which reported volume measurements in a selected number of regions. Twenty-six studies comprising volumetric measurements on up to 404 independent patients with bipolar disorder were included. A meta-analysis was carried out comparing the volumes of regions in bipolar disorder to comparison subjects using a random effects model. RESULTS: Patients with bipolar disorder had enlargement of the right lateral ventricle, but no other regional volumetric deviations which reached significance. Strong heterogeneity existed for several regions, including the third ventricle, left subgenual prefrontal cortex, bilateral amygdala and thalamus. CONCLUSIONS: Regional volume of most structures we studied is preserved in bipolar disorder as a whole, which was significantly associated only with right-sided ventricular enlargement. However the extensive heterogeneity detected indicates the need for further studies to establish if consistent regional brain volume deviation exists in bipolar disorder or in specific clinical subsets of the illness.
BACKGROUND: Several studies assessing volumetric measurements of regional brain structure in bipolar disorder have been published in recent years, but their results have been inconsistent. Our aim was to complete a meta-analysis of regional morphometry in bipolar disorder as assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of MRI studies of bipolar disorder and identified studies which reported volume measurements in a selected number of regions. Twenty-six studies comprising volumetric measurements on up to 404 independent patients with bipolar disorder were included. A meta-analysis was carried out comparing the volumes of regions in bipolar disorder to comparison subjects using a random effects model. RESULTS:Patients with bipolar disorder had enlargement of the right lateral ventricle, but no other regional volumetric deviations which reached significance. Strong heterogeneity existed for several regions, including the third ventricle, left subgenual prefrontal cortex, bilateral amygdala and thalamus. CONCLUSIONS: Regional volume of most structures we studied is preserved in bipolar disorder as a whole, which was significantly associated only with right-sided ventricular enlargement. However the extensive heterogeneity detected indicates the need for further studies to establish if consistent regional brain volume deviation exists in bipolar disorder or in specific clinical subsets of the illness.
Authors: Vicente Molina; Gemma Galindo; Benjamín Cortés; Alba G Seco de Herrera; Ana Ledo; Javier Sanz; Carlos Montes; Juan A Hernández-Tamames Journal: Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2010-12-28 Impact factor: 5.270
Authors: Cecile D Ladouceur; Jorge R C Almeida; Boris Birmaher; David A Axelson; Sharon Nau; Catherine Kalas; Kelly Monk; David J Kupfer; Mary L Phillips Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2008-05 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Carrie E Bearden; Jair C Soares; Andrea D Klunder; Mark Nicoletti; Nicole Dierschke; Kiralee M Hayashi; Katherine L Narr; Paolo Brambilla; Roberto B Sassi; David Axelson; Neal Ryan; Boris Birmaher; Paul M Thompson Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2008-05 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: P Cédric M P Koolschijn; Neeltje E M van Haren; Gerty J L M Lensvelt-Mulders; Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol; René S Kahn Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 5.038