Differential effects of age on brain gray matter in bipolar patients and healthy individuals

This study examined possible differences in total gray and white matter bra in content in bipolar patients and healthy individuals, and their relations hip with age. 22 DSM-IV bipolar patients and 22 healthy controls underwent a 1.5-tesla Spoiled Gradient Recalled Acquisition (SPGR) MRI. Evaluators bl ind to patients' identities measured total brain, gray and white matter vol umes using a semi-automated software. No differences were found for total b rain volume, gray matter or white matter volumes between bipolar patients a nd healthy controls (MAN-COVA, age as covariate, p > 0.05). Age was inverse ly correlated with total gray matter volume in patients (r = -0.576, p = 0. 005), but not in controls (r = -0.193, p = 0.388), Our findings suggest tha t any existing gray matter deficits in bipolar disorder are likely to be lo calized to specific brain regions, rather than generalized. The inverse cor relation between age and brain gray matter volumes in bipolar patients, not present in healthy controls, in this sample of mostly middle-aged adults, could possibly indicate more pronounced age-related gray matter decline in bipolar patients, and may be of potential relevance for the pathophysiology of the disorder. Copyright (C) 2001S.KargerAG,Basel.