In Vivo Brain Mechanisms in Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism

In Vivo Brain Mechanisms in Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism

Overview
The purpose of this study is to examine whether comorbid alcoholism in patients suffering from bipolar disorder is related to distinctive brain mechanisms in comparison to non-comorbid bipolar disorder, using MRI/MRS, and a blood platelet sample. The MRI takes pictures of the brain and the MRS simultaneously measures the chemical of interest. An additional blood chemical is measured using the blood platelet sample. If subjects meet initial eligibility criteria, a screening visit is scheduled. At this screening visit, which can last up to 3 hours, a structured clinical interview is performed by a member of the research team to confirm the psychiatric diagnosis (or lack of a psychiatric diagnosis for healthy control subjects). During this visit, a physical is performed by a medical doctor, and blood and urine samples are collected to rule out any current medical problems. If the subject continues to qualify, the MRI/MRS is then scheduled. The MRI/MRS visit takes approximately 2 hours. Subjects are then scheduled for the platelet blood draw and neuropsychological testing. This visit can take up to 4 hours.

Eligibility

Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type I
Current alcohol abuse (or no history of alcohol abuse for non-alcoholic subject group)
Age 18-65
No psychiatric comorbidities, other than alcohol abuse
No current medical problems
Not pregnant
No neurologic disorders
No family history of a hereditary neurologic disorder
No substance abuse within the last 6 months
No metal fragments, aneurysm clips, pacemakers, etc.

Study Payment

$20 for the platelet blood draw

$40 for the completed MRI/MRS scan

$35 for the completed neuropsychological testing

(Local) Study Sites:

Patients are recruited from the inpatient and outpatient research programs at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), University Hospital , and South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The screening and subsequent visits are scheduled at these locations.

For more information please call Rhonda Barnard at 210-562-5491.

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Overview
The purpose of this study is to examine whether comorbid alcoholism in patients suffering from bipolar disorder is related to distinctive brain mechanisms in comparison to non-comorbid bipolar disorder, using MRI/MRS, and a blood platelet sample. The MRI takes pictures of the brain and the MRS simultaneously measures the chemical of interest. An additional blood chemical is measured using the blood platelet sample. If subjects meet initial eligibility criteria, a screening visit is scheduled. At this screening visit, which can last up to 3 hours, a structured clinical interview is performed by a member of the research team to confirm the psychiatric diagnosis (or lack of a psychiatric diagnosis for healthy control subjects). During this visit, a physical is performed by a medical doctor, and blood and urine samples are collected to rule out any current medical problems. If the subject continues to qualify, the MRI/MRS is then scheduled. The MRI/MRS visit takes approximately 2 hours. Subjects are then scheduled for the platelet blood draw and neuropsychological testing. This visit can take up to 4 hours.

Eligibility

Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type I
Current alcohol abuse (or no history of alcohol abuse for non-alcoholic subject group)
Age 18-65
No psychiatric comorbidities, other than alcohol abuse
No current medical problems
Not pregnant
No neurologic disorders
No family history of a hereditary neurologic disorder
No substance abuse within the last 6 months
No metal fragments, aneurysm clips, pacemakers, etc.

Study Payment

$20 for the platelet blood draw

$40 for the completed MRI/MRS scan

$35 for the completed neuropsychological testing

(Local) Study Sites:

Patients are recruited from the inpatient and outpatient research programs at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), University Hospital , and South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The screening and subsequent visits are scheduled at these locations.

For more information please call Rhonda Barnard at 210-562-5491.