Rostral and orbital prefrontal cortex dysfunction in the manic state of bipolar disorder

HP Blumberg, E Stern, S Ricketts… - American Journal of …, 1999 - Am Psychiatric Assoc
HP Blumberg, E Stern, S Ricketts, D Martinez, J de Asis, T White, J Epstein, N Isenberg…
American Journal of Psychiatry, 1999Am Psychiatric Assoc
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated prefrontal cortex function in the manic state of bipolar
disorder. METHOD: High-sensitivity [15O] H2O positron emission tomography and a word
generation activation paradigm were used to study regional cerebral blood flow in five manic
and six euthymic individuals with bipolar disorder and in five healthy individuals. RESULTS:
Decreased right rostral and orbital prefrontal cortex activation during word generation and
decreased orbitofrontal activity during rest were associated with mania. CONCLUSIONS …
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated prefrontal cortex function in the manic state of bipolar disorder.
METHOD
High-sensitivity [15O]H2O positron emission tomography and a word generation activation paradigm were used to study regional cerebral blood flow in five manic and six euthymic individuals with bipolar disorder and in five healthy individuals.
RESULTS
Decreased right rostral and orbital prefrontal cortex activation during word generation and decreased orbitofrontal activity during rest were associated with mania.
CONCLUSIONS
The data support the presence of rostral and orbital prefrontal dysfunction in primary mania. These findings, when seen in the context of the human brain lesion and the behavioral neuroanatomic literatures, may help to explain some of the neurobehavioral abnormalities characteristic of the manic state.
American Journal of Psychiatry