Clinical Correlates of Subeortical Hyperintensities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: Preliminary Study.
- Author:
Dae Hyun YOON
;
Jun Soo KWON
;
Moon Hee HAN
;
Kee Hyun CHANG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Bipolar disorder Hyperintensity
- MeSH:
Age of Onset;
Aging;
Bipolar Disorder*;
Brain;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry
1997;4(1):60-66
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECT: Accumulating evidence suggests a greater number of subcortical hyperintensities in the brain with bipolar disorder. We studied the Clinical correlates of subcortical hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Bipolar Disorder. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of the brain were obtained for 32 patients with bipolar disorder. The presence and location of hyperintensities were assessed. We compared clinical variables between with subcortical hyperintensities and patients without them. RESULTS: Seven Patients(21.8%) had subcortical hyperintensities, but among 8 patients who were or older, 5 patients(625) had them, Age and age of onset of patients with subcotical hyperintensities were significantly older than patients without them. Psychotic symptoms were more frequent in patients with hyperintensities. Patients without hyperintesities had more familial loading. CONCLUSION: Given the limitations of the study, our results should be seen as preliminary. This study, however, provides preliminary evidence supporting the notion that the onset, clinical feature and course of some bipolar disorders of late onset may be determined by underlying subcortical abnormalities, with such abnormalities being the consequence of factors related to aging or neurodegeneration(such as impaired cerebral circulation) rather than genetic factors which predispose to early-onset bipolar disorders.
