Understanding how brain circuits related to emotions and appetite are affected in bipolar disorder
Official title: Dysregulation of Appetitive & Aversive Amygdala Circuits in Bipolar Disorder
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-10798197 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells in the amygdala affect emotions and appetite in people with bipolar disorder, hoping to find out how they work differently than in those without the condition, which could help improve treatments for managing feelings and behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2020 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $773,605 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH120991-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10798197 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder who experience significant mood fluctuations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other mental health disorders that do not involve mood dysregulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits in the amygdala that regulate emotions and appetite in individuals with bipolar disorder. It aims to identify specific types of neurons that are responsible for aversive feelings like fear and positive feelings like pleasure. By using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the study seeks to understand how these neurons function differently in people with bipolar disorder compared to healthy individuals. The findings could lead to better understanding and treatment options for managing the emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that more effectively target the emotional and behavioral symptoms of bipolar disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding brain circuits related to mood disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berretta, Sabina — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Berretta, Sabina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Detailed brain mapping for bipolar disorder and major depression
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-
Understanding how mood swings happen in bipolar disorder
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-
Biological signs linked to alcohol problems in young people with bipolar disorder
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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.