Project Summary

William T. Regenold, M.D. (Young Investigator 2000) of University of Maryland, is determining whether high levels of a chemical called sorbitol in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with bipolar disorder is associated with white matter brain damage.  Previous work suggests that abnormally high concentrations of sorbitol may potentially result in such damage.  Interestingly, patients with bipolar disorder have a twofold increase in the risk of diabetes, in which signs of nerve damage are associated with increased sorbitol.  Dr. Regenold will measure cerebrospinal fluid polyol (sorbitol and myosinotol) in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with bipolar disorder, and will quantify areas of abnormal white matter using MRI.  This work may provide the basis for the use of sorbitol-lowering medications to prevent nerve damage in bipolar disorder.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar

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