Project Summary

Vivienne A. Curtis, MBBS (Independent Investigator 2002) of Institute of Psychiatry, will study a series of 15 pairs of identical twins where one has bipolar affective disorder and the co-twin is well, using structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), as well as Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI).  Using these techniques, she will examine brain structure, the physical connections between anatomically distant brain regions and the functional interaction between them.  By comparing the members of these twin pairs with a series of normal control twin pairs, she will be able to assess whether the twins with the disorder show particular abnormalities, and if so whether they also present in their well co-twins.  Dr. Curtis seeks to identify the abnormalities associated with bipolar disorder, and also any abnormalities which are found in the healthy co-twin which might therefore predispose to the disorder.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar

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