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What Type of Mutation Is Bipolar Disorder?

The National Institute of Mental Health says bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects 5.7 million Americans. Its cause is not known although some scientists feel it may be directly linked to a gene mutation in some cases.

  1. Bipolar Disorder

    • Bipolar disorder, one of the four major mental illnesses, is characterized by mood swings from depressive to manic, feeling elated. (The other three are schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and major depression.)

    Gene Mutation

    • According to the Genetics Home Reference, "a gene mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations range in size from a single DNA building block (DNA base) to a large segment of a chromosome."

    Gene Theory

    • UC San Diego researchers found a genetic link in some bipolar cases.

      "A gene that regulates sensitivity to brain neurotransmitters such as dopamine, causes bipolar disorder in as many as 10 percent of bipolar cases," according to a June 17, 2003, article in ScienceDaily on the study findings.

    Action

    • The UCSD researchers developed a theory on the effects of the genetic mutation.

      "It is widely believed that because of this mutation, bipolar people become more sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine, and this results in the mood swings that characterize this disorder," according to ScienceDaily.

    Medication

    • Medication does not help gene mutations, although commonly used bipolar medications focus on the result of this gene mutations, dopamine sensitivity. The medications target dopamine and reduce its effects.

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