Sex Shapes the Course of Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

Summary: A large multicenter study has revealed that sex influences the course and characteristics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Women with schizophrenia tended to begin treatment later, while men with…

Bipolar Mood Shifts Linked to Insulin Signaling in the Pancreas

Summary: A new study uncovers a pancreas–hippocampus feedback loop that may help explain mood swings in bipolar disorder. Using patient-derived pancreatic islets, researchers found reduced insulin secretion linked to elevated…

Could Mental Illness Begin Before You’re Born?

Key Questions Answered: Q: When do genes linked to mental illness start affecting the brain?A: Many genes associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases are active during the earliest stages of…

Hepatitis C Found in Brain Lining Linked to Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

Summary: Researchers have discovered hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the brain lining of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting a possible link between infection and psychiatric symptoms. The study…

Gut Microbiome May Influence Bipolar Medication Response

Summary: A new review has examined how bipolar disorder medications interact with the gut microbiome, revealing important links between treatment response and gut microbial composition. Researchers analyzed 12 studies comparing…

Ketogenic Diet May Stabilize Mood in Young People with Bipolar

Summary: Researchers are launching a multi-site pilot study to assess whether a ketogenic diet, alongside standard medications, can stabilize mood symptoms in young people with bipolar disorder. The 16-week trial…

Dopamine Clock May Drive Bipolar Mood Swings

Summary: New research suggests that mood swings in bipolar disorder are regulated by two clocks: the body’s 24-hour circadian rhythm and a dopamine-based clock that influences alertness. When these clocks…

Fitness Trackers Detect Mood Episodes in Bipolar Disorder with High Accuracy

Summary: Data from fitness trackers can detect mood episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder with up to 89.1% accuracy for mania and 80.1% for depression. Researchers used passively collected, noninvasive…

Alcohol Use Linked to Increased Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Summary: Research reveals that increased alcohol consumption in individuals with bipolar disorder can exacerbate their symptoms over time. Contrary to the belief that alcohol acts as self-medication, the study shows…

Keto Diet May Improve Mental Health Symptoms

Summary: A new pilot study presents a compelling case for the ketogenic diet as a dual-action treatment for individuals with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who often…