Project Summary

Daniel J. Smith, MB, M.D., MRCPsych. (Young Investigator 2007) of Cardiff University, seeks to explain at the genetic level distinctions between unipolar and bipolar disorder. Although several promising candidate genes for depression and bipolar disorder have been identified in recent years, including BDNF, DISC-1, CREB-1 and genes at the DAOA/G30 locus, we currently know very little about how these risk genes might influence fundamental temperamental characteristics or mood regulating systems within the brain. Dr. Smith will use various mood spectrum and temperament evaluation methods to assess dimensional aspects of mood, temperament and bipolarity in 1000 patients with recurrent major depressive disorder and 1000 patients with bipolar disorder. He believes that this kind of study has the potential to challenge traditional approaches to the diagnosis of recurrent major depression and bipolar disorder and may represent an early step towards a molecular genetic classification of mood disorders.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar/Bipolar

Search Again