The Bipolar Illness Onset Study (the BIO Study)

The Bipolar Illness Onset Study (the BIO Study)

This longitudinal study aims to identify 1) a composite blood-based biomarker, 2) a composite electronic Smartphone-based biomarker and 3) a neurocognitive signature for bipolar disorder

The study will include 300 patients with newly diagnosed/first episode bipolar disorder, 200 healthy siblings or child family members and 100 healthy individuals without a family history of affective disorder. All individuals will be investigated with repeated blood tests, Smartphone recordings, neuropsychological tests and brain imaging during a five to ten year study period.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Newly diagnosed/first episode bipolar patients,
2. First-generation relatives (siblings and children aged 15 to 40 years) to the recruited newly diagnosed/first episode bipolar patients.
3. Age- and gender matched sample of healthy individuals without a first-generation family history of effective disorders

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Significant physical disorders
2. Schizophrenia or related disorders