The impact of our research
Since 2018, QIMR Berghofer has pioneered research into bipolar disorder through a nationwide study of over 5,000 Australians.
Our ongoing Australian Genetics of Bipolar Disorder Study aims to:
- identify the genes that predispose people to bipolar disorder;
- understand why some people respond to medication and others don’t;
- identify effective and personalised medication and treatments.
It’s the world’s largest study into bipolar disorder and has significantly deepened our understanding of how genes impact individuals’ responses to medication.
Bipolar disorder commonly runs in families, with genetics playing an important role in 80% of cases.
Studies of identical twins have shown that one twin can develop bipolar disorder while the other does not.
For people with bipolar disorder, manic episodes are more likely to occur during spring.
About bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) is a chronic mental health condition that causes significant changes in mood and energy levels. It is a complex disorder, typically caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.
There are three types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I – depressive and manic episodes;
- Bipolar II – depressive and hypomanic episodes (less extreme highs than type 1);
- Cyclothymic – hypomanic and depressive symptoms.
All three types involve strong changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of being extremely ‘up’, elated, irritable, or energised (known as manic episodes) to very ‘down’, sad, indifferent, or hopeless (known as depressive episodes).
Approximately 1 in 50 adult Australians will experience a bipolar episode each year.
While we don’t know the exact causes of bipolar disorder, several factors are believed to play a role in its development and onset:
- genetic factors, which account for approximately 70% of the risk;
- unusual chemicals in the brain that help with communication;
- environmental factors, including stressful life events and seasonal factors;
- certain medications and illicit substances.
People living with bipolar disorder may also have a higher risk of additional health issues, including alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and suicide. Bipolar disorder requires long-term management.
Bipolar disorder affects 2.9% of Australians over the age of 16, or around 570,000 Australians. While most people first develop symptoms aged 17, Australian research shows they typically won’t be diagnosed for another 12.5 years.
Bipolar disorder is the 9th leading contributor to the burden of disease among females aged 15-24, and the 10th leading contributor for males of the same age.
Bipolar causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
Symptoms during a manic or hypomanic episode may include:
- Feeling ‘high’ or euphoric;
- Being more energetic or agitated than usual;
- Not sleeping;
- Unusual talkativeness;
- Racing thoughts;
- Being distracted;
- Making poor decisions, such as going on buying sprees, taking sexual risks or making unwise investments.
Symptoms during a depressive episode may include:
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful (this can appear as irritability in young children);
- Marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities;
- Weight loss or gain;
- Either insomnia or sleeping too much;
- Either restlessness or slowed behaviour;
- Fatigue or loss of energy;
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt;
- Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness;
- Suicidal thoughts.
While several treatments are available, these do not work for everyone, don’t necessarily address all aspects of the disorder and can have side effects.
Because of this, we continue to work on identifying risk factors that influence bipolar disorder. By better understanding the disorder, we aim to find new treatments.