Bipolar Disorder - Gene Detection Begins with You
a study by the National Institute of Mental Health*
The Gene Detection Study of Bipolar Disorder
The staff of the Bipolar Disorder Genetics Project invites adults who have experienced bipolar disorder to join our study. Interested individuals can participate on their own or with other family members who are affected and wish to take part. Individual volunteers’ siblings, as well as parents, may be asked to participate.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness) is a mental illness involving episodes of serious mania and depression. The person’s mood usually swings from overly “high” or irritable to sad and hopeless and then back again. There may be periods of normal mood in between. The mood swings can cause serious behavioral problems.
Why study families?
Earlier studies suggest that a tendency to develop bipolar disorder runs in some families. However, most relatives will never develop the illness.
In our family studies we look for the genes that may be causing some family members to be at risk for bipolar disorder. As we discover the nature of each gene, we hope to develop better treatments.
We urge people suffering from bipolar disorder to participate in a scientific study, which will help us better understand the cause s of this disorder. We may also wish to include additional family members.
Why should I participate in a family/genetic study?
Many persons who suffer from bipolar disorder, or who have a close relative with the disorder, have already participated in the study. The reason most often given is “If I can help prevent this from happening to anyone else, I’ll do anything.” These individuals and family members share our hope that finding genetic markers and genes will help medical researchers understand more about the causes of bipolar disorder. As a result, we will be able to develop more effective medications.
You are an essential partner in the research. Without the help of people like you and your family, no study of inherited traits can be done and little progress will be made. We depend on your participation.
How does an individual or family get into a study?
Usually, someone who suffers from the disorder, or a close relative, calls or writes us. After an initial screening, we will determine if you meet criteria for our study. Depending upon your family history, we may ask permission to contact relatives, explaining the program and inviting participation. Thos who accept send back a consent form noting the best time for us to call.
Participants contribute in two ways:
Participants will be interviewed and a small amount of blood will be collected and shipped to the study site.
Scheduling an Interview
Scheduling is done to best suit the participant. While some of the work is done face-to-face, a majority of it can be done over the telephone. Weekend and evening appointments are available for those who need them. No travel is necessary.
About the Interview:
- A personal psychiatric and medical history is taken.
- It can be done on the telephone.
- It takes about two to four hours.
- Information is kept in strict confidence, even from family members.
- A small stipend is paid.
About the Blood Sample:
- Only a few ounces are needed.
- Blood can be drawn by the volunteer’s own doctor.
- Any charges for the procedure or for shipping are prepaid or reimbursed.
- It will allow for examination of the DNA, which may carry the tendency for bipolardisorder from generation to generation.
- A small stipend is paid for giving blood.
Confidentiality
All of the information obtained by the Bipolar Genetic Study will remain completely confidential, even among family members. When research papers are published, no names or other identifying information about individual participants will appear.
Will I learn if I carry a gene for bipolar disorder?
This study alone will not allow us confidentiality to identify genes that contribute to bipolar disorder. For this reason, participants will not be given information about the results of genetic tests performed on their DNA samples. We will provide participants with annual updates on the progress of this research project in the form of a mailed newsletter. Participants who would prefer not to receive this newsletter may say so, and no newsletter will be sent.
How can I participate?
Please call or email to Mrs Kazuba:
1-866-644-4363
kazubad@intra.nimh.nih.gov