White Matter in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: A DTI Study

White Matter Connectivity in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Fourteen subjects with bipolar disorder and 14 matching healthy controls, aged 6-13, will receive a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on a 3 Tesla scanner. They will also have a clinical interview, including the KSADS-PL. All subjects must be right-handed.

We propose to investigate the connectivity of white matter tracts using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in children with very early onset bipolar disorder (BPD). We hypothesize that the connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and the temporal lobe and parietal lobe and limbic structures will be abnormal, indicating white matter and gray matter deficits in early onset BPD. We also hypothesize that the superior lateral fasciculus cingulum bundle and the inferior lateral fasciculus will have decreased fractional anisotropy in very early onset BPD relative to healthy controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 6 to 13
• Male or female
• Right-handed

Exclusion Criteria:

• IQ less than 70
• Learning disabilities
• History of autism, schizophrenia, anorexia or bulimia nervosa
• Substance abuse
• Claustrophobia
• Metal in body
• Pregnancy or lactation