Bipolar Disorder Genes, and a Link with Thyroid Condition

From a press release about the Sixth International Conference on Bipolar Disorder:

New research findings presented today…suggest specific genetic linkages that are associated with the mental illness, bringing researchers much closer to finding the elusive gene or genes. Another study finds an association between an abnormal thyroid condition and bipolar disorder, pointing to the possibility that a simple blood test could help identify those at risk.

Studies involving adolescent and young adult offspring of bipolar parents and of twins with bipolar disorder also suggested a genetic link between bipolar disorder and an abnormal thyroid condition called autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). Among the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder, who usually have an increased prevalence of bipolar and other mood disorders, there also was an increased prevalence of AT. Surprisingly, this finding did not seem to be related to whether their offspring themselves had been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness.

The press release indicated that “If proven valid in further studies, the research suggests that members of families in which bipolar disorder occurs could be tested for autoimmune thyroiditis by means of a simple blood analysis, thereby helping to identify those who also may be at risk for developing bipolar disorder”.

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