Abstract
Objective:
Bipolar disorder is a heterogeneous disease with a high variation in symptomatology and course. The aim of this paper is to review the findings of several studies concerning neurobiology of bipolar disorder.
Method:
Articles and books related to neurobiology of bipolar disorder are reviewed and data is summarized.
Results:
Heterogeneous nature of bipolar disorder supports the idea that different pathophysiologic processes are involved in disease development. Investigational tools of molecular genetics, biochemistry, histopathology and morphology are used to elucidate these pathophysiologic mechanisms. Different, or even conflicting findings in concordance with the nature of this disease are reported.
Conclusion:
Due to its clinical heterogeneity, it has been difficult to obtain conclusive results in studies performed to illuminate the etiology and pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Future research in subgroups of bipolar patients using various investigational tools in a collaborative manner will be helpful in understanding the disorder better.
Keywords: Bipolar disorder, neurobiology
