Brain reward signals and dopamine in mania and hypomania
Linking mania/hypomania with abnormal reward expectancy- and approach-related neural network activity and dopamine release
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11289397
Researchers will compare brain reward activity and dopamine release in adults with bipolar disorder who are mood-stable but showing mild manic symptoms and in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11289397 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would come to the University of Pittsburgh for brain imaging that measures both neural network activity and dopamine release while you do decision-making tasks involving uncertain rewards. The team will enroll 40 unmedicated adults with bipolar disorder who are currently euthymic but have subsyndromal mania/hypomania and 40 healthy control adults. Imaging will include scans that show which brain networks (like the ventrolateral prefrontal and executive networks) light up during reward and approach choices and a PET measure of dopamine release. The goal is to link patterns of brain activity and dopamine changes to the risky, approach-oriented behaviors that can lead to mania.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) with bipolar disorder who are currently mood-stable (euthymic), unmedicated, and experiencing subsyndromal mania/hypomania symptoms.
Not a fit: People currently in an acute manic episode, those on mood-stabilizing medications, or individuals without bipolar disorder are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to more precise treatments that target dopamine or specific brain circuits to prevent or reduce mania episodes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked dopamine and reward-circuit changes to mania, but combining PET measures of dopamine release with network imaging in unmedicated, mood-stable bipolar adults is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PHILLIPS, MARY LOUISE — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: PHILLIPS, MARY LOUISE
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Bipolar Disorder