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Genetic Testing for Bipolar

Tests used to diagnose bipolar disorder are basically limited to physical examinations and psychological evaluations, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, according to research published in the journal "Molecular Psychiatry," genetic testing may become a possibility.

  1. Bipolar Disorder

    • Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, is a mental disorder that involves unpredictable mood swings and behavioral changes called episodes. Manic episodes are periods of over-excitement or agitation, and depressive episodes are periods of depression.

    Genetics

    • Genetics may be one factor that causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is more common among people who have a close relative that also has bipolar disorder, according to Mayo.

    Testing

    • There are “no objective clinical laboratory blood tests” available to diagnose mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, according to Dr. Alexander Niculescu, III, of the Indiana University School of Medicine, author of a study published in the journal "Molecular Psychiatry."

    Features

    • Dr. Niculescu's study reports that 10 genes have been identified in the blood that are related to mood episodes. In an article for MSNBC, Dr. Niculescu suggests that the identification of these genes could be used to develop a test for diagnosing bipolar disorder.

    Considerations

    • According to a study published in the "American Journal of Psychiatry," many people with bipolar disorder and their spouses would take advantage of a genetic test to diagnose bipolar disorder were such a test available.

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