Disease progression in bipolar disorder in relation to white matter microstructure: A comprehensive approach based on staging models.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) is assumed to follow a progressive course, conceptualized through staging models. It is unclear whether white matter (WM) microstructure abnormalities, central to BD pathophysiology, parallel this development throughout disease progression. This study explored the link between WM and disease progression in BD, using a comprehensive approach based on clinical staging models.

Methods

This cross-sectional diffusion tensor-imaging study included 153 BD patients and 153 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, and study site. Using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS), we examined associations between WM integrity and three criteria: (1) number of manic episodes, (2) remission quality between episodes, and (3) inter-episode global functioning

SUBMITTER: Thiel K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12538178 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature