Elevated Left and Reduced Right Orbitomedial Prefrontal Fractional Anisotropy in Adults With Bipolar Disorder Revealed by Tract-Based Spatial Statistics

• DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.65.9.1041
• Publication Date: 2008-09-01T16:07:36Z
• Authors: Amelia Versace; Jorge R. C. Almeida; Stefanie Hassel; Nicholas D. Walsh; Massimiliano Novelli; Crystal R. Klein; David J. Kupfer; Mary L. Phillips
• Keywords: Fasciculus; Uncinate fasciculus; Superior longitudinal fasciculus

<h3>Context</h3> Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies in adults with bipolar disorder (BD) indicate altered white matter (WM) the orbitomedial prefrontal cortex (OMPFC), potentially underlying abnormal corticolimbic connectivity and mood dysregulation BD. <h3>Objective</h3> To use tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to examine WM skeleton (ie, most compact whole-brain WM) subjects BD vs healthy control subjects. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional, case-control, DTI using TBSS. <h3>Setting</h3> University research institute. <h3>Participants</h3> Fifty-six individuals, 31 having a<i>DSM-IV</i>diagnosis of type I (mean age, 35.9 years [age range, 24-52 years]) 25 controls 29.5 19-52 years]). <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Fractional anisotropy (FA) longitudinal radial diffusivities (covarying for age) their relationships clinical demographic variables. <h3>Results</h3> Subjects had significantly greater FA (<i>t</i> &gt; 3.0,<i>P</i> ≤ .05 corrected) left uncinate fasciculus (reduced diffusivity distally increased centrally), optic radiation (increased diffusivity), right anterothalamic (no significant change). reduced (greater diffusivity). Among BD, negative correlations (<i>P</i> &lt; .01) were found between age bilateral fasciculi radiation, as well medication load radiation. Decreased was observed among taking those not stabilizers, depressed remitted without lifetime alcohol or other drug abuse decreased fasciculus. <h3>Conclusions</h3> our knowledge, this is first study TBSS showed OMPFC that diminished abuse, OMPFC. Mood stabilizers episode left-sided sensory visual processing regions Abnormal asymmetry likely reflecting proportions longitudinally aligned right-sided obliquely myelinated fibers, may represent a biologic mechanism