Cerebellum metabolism and mood changes in bipolar disorder
Official title: Cerebellar metabolism, neural circuits, and symptoms in bipolar disorder
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11177039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will follow people with bipolar I and matched controls over two years to see how cerebellum chemistry, activity, and structure change when mood shifts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $763,469 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH111578-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a diagnosed bipolar I disorder who can commit to two years of weekly mood checks and travel to Iowa City for periodic brain imaging are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without bipolar I, those with medical or metal implants that prevent MRI, pregnant people, or anyone unable to attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would join a two-year study that includes 170 people with bipolar I and 90 matched people without bipolar disorder. Participants will complete brief weekly mood check-ins, and when mood changes are detected those with bipolar disorder will be brought in for brain scans. Scans include imaging of brain chemistry, brain activity, and anatomy to track cerebellar changes over time. The goal is to link fluctuations in mood to changes in cerebellar metabolism and circuits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal brain changes that predict mood episodes and guide new monitoring methods or treatments targeting the cerebellum.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cross-sectional studies, including the investigators' own work, have found cerebellar differences in bipolar disorder, but longitudinal evidence linking cerebellar changes to mood fluctuations is limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magnotta, Vincent a — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Magnotta, Vincent a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Detailed brain mapping for bipolar disorder and major depression
Researchers are using thousands of MRI scans to map fine-grained brain structure differences in people with bipolar disorder and major depression compared with people without these conditions.
-
Understanding how mood swings happen in bipolar disorder
Researchers are testing a high-tech brain imaging approach to map how emotions flare and fade in people with bipolar disorder.
-
Cerebellum and mood in bipolar disorder
A long-term study will look at how the cerebellum’s signals and metabolism relate to mood changes in people with bipolar I and compare them with non-affected individuals.
-
Biological signs linked to alcohol problems in young people with bipolar disorder
This project will look for brain and stress-related signs that predict which young people with bipolar disorder and their peers may go on to develop alcohol problems.
-
Improving emotion control in bipolar disorder with rapid noninvasive brain stimulation
This project uses short sessions of rapid, noninvasive brain stimulation aimed at a specific brain area to help people with bipolar disorder improve control over emotions.
-
Finding genes linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Latino and mixed-ancestry people
This project will combine genetic information and gene-activity (RNA) data from Latino people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and people without these conditions to find genes that raise disease risk.
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.