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| Image Source: health.com |
People with bipolar disorder are more likely to make bigger risks compared to individuals without the condition.
This is according to the researchers at the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool who revealed that the brain circuits that are involved in chasing and appreciating rewarding experiences are more present among people suffering from bipolar disorder.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder, which is described as a serious medical illness that causes shifts in mood, energy, and ability to function, affects nearly 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population ages 18 and older, yearly.
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| Image Source: theconversation.com |
The study, which was published in the journal BRAIN, utilized brain imaging techniques to identify the neural pathways that are believed to be responsible for the symptoms of the condition. The researchers then looked at the neuroscience underlying the risky decisions made by bipolar patients via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Of this experiment, the researchers found that people with bipolar disorders had a particular dominance in their brain’s "pleasure center," which urges people to seek and pursue rewards. In contrast, they found out that the prefrontal cortex guided those without the disorder toward safer gambles and less risky decisions.
Following this discovery, the researchers hope to explore psychological therapies that can support people in engaging with their value systems in order to better regulate their pursuit of goals.
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| Image Source: psy.ox.ac.uk |
Dr. Sagun Tuli is a Florida-based neurosurgeon, educator, and researcher. Subscribe to this Facebook page for related news and discussions on neurology.
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