Persons with Bipolar Disorder who qualify (see below), are invited to join one or both of our two studies.
Study A: Individuals with Bipolar Disorder with psychotic symptoms,
Schizoaffective Disorder, or Schizophrenia, age 15 to 65, with available family members who reside in the Chicago area.
Psychological assessments would be performed at the University of Chicago, and physiological assessments would occur
at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Study B: Families with one person with Bipolar Disorder or Schizoaffective Disorder (Bipolar type)
Must have and at least one other family member with any major mood disorder age 18 or over willing to participate.
No travel is required. Participants may reside anywhere in the U.S.
Both studies are funded and approved by the National Institutes of Health and approved by the Institutional Review Boards (IRB).
Why Do This Research?
A genetic tendency is present in Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. However, most
relatives will never develop the illness.
In our studies, we are looking for specific genes that may cause some family members to be
at risk for Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other mood disorders. Gene discovery should
lead to better treatments.
What Is Bipolar Disorder? Schizophrenia?
Bipolar Disorder (also called manic-depressive illness) is a mental illness involving episodes
of serious mania and depression. The person's mood usually swings from overly "high" or
irritable to sad and hopeless and then back again. There may be periods of normal mood in
between.
Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder characterized by symptoms such as recurrent delusions,
hallucinations, and disorganized speech and behavior.
Why Should I Participate in a Genetic Study? Why Should My Family?
Many persons who suffer from Bipolar Disorder, or who have a close relative with the
disorder, have already brought themselves and/or families into the study. The reason most
often given is, "If I can help prevent this from happening to anyone else, I'll do anything."
These individuals and families share our hope that finding genetic markers and genes that
increase risk for this disorder will help medical researchers understand more about its
biological basis, and develop more effective medications.
You are an essential player in the research. Without the help of people like you and your
family, no study of inherited traits can be done and little progress will be made. We depend
on your participation.
