Genetic Study of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Author Information
Author(s): Mick Eric, Wozniak Janet, Wilens Timothy E, Biederman Joseph, Faraone Stephen V
Primary Institution: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
Are the BDNF, COMT, and serotonin transporter genes associated with DSM-IV bipolar-I disorder in children?
Conclusion
The study found no significant associations between the examined genetic markers and pediatric bipolar disorder.
Supporting Evidence
- The study included 173 bipolar-I affected offspring from 332 nuclear families.
- Genetic markers examined included BDNF, COMT, and SLC6A4.
- Previous studies suggested a potential genetic component in bipolar disorder, but this study did not replicate those findings.
Takeaway
The researchers looked at certain genes to see if they were linked to bipolar disorder in kids, but they didn't find any strong connections.
Methodology
The study involved bipolar-I affected offspring triads drawn from families recruited for genetic studies, with genotyping conducted for specific gene markers.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in genotyping as lab technicians were not aware of the sample sources.
Limitations
The study focused on single markers and may not cover the entire gene regions, limiting the ability to detect smaller genetic effects.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly male (74%) with a mean age of 12.8 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.1
Confidence Interval
0.79–1.92
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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