We currently are conducting two genetic studies on bipolar disorder: one for individuals with an age of onset of mania under 19 years old, one for individuals with depression who have a family history of depression, and one for families in which several relations have mood disorders and at least one of them has bipolar disorder. Our studies involve family histories, a two-hour diagnostic interview with a psychiatrist, a small blood sample, and a few questionnaires. You will be compensated for your time. It is not necessary that you come to Johns Hopkins. We can accommodate participants from all over the country.
Please see below for more information about our studies. If you would like to hear more about participating in our research, please call us at 1-877-666-3754 or e-mail moods@jhu.edu. Everything you share with us is confidential.
Family Genetic Study of Bipolar Disorder
In this study of bipolar disorder, we are looking for families where at least one person has bipolar disorder and that person has at least two first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) with a mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder). Each family member who participates will complete a family history interview with a research assistant, a two-hour interview with a psychiatrist, and have a small blood sample taken.
RPN# 85-01-07-01, PI: James Potash, MD, MPH
The Genetics of Early Onset of Mania Study
We are seeking families to participate in a research study about the genetics of early-onset of mania. We are dedicated to locating the genes associated with the early onset of bipolar disorder. The main individual could be a child or adult with an age of onset of bipolar disorder between 7 and 18. Participation includes an interview with a psychiatrist and having a small blood sample taken. To accurately analyze data for this study, the biological parents of the main study participant must complete the study as well. Confidentiality is assured. Participants will be reimbursed at least $100 for completing the study. You do not need to be local to participate in this research study, unless you are age 7-17. Please call (410) 614-0991 for more information.
RPN# NA_00006063 PI: James B. Potash, M.D., MPH; Elizabeth Kastelic M.D
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do we know that bipolar disorder is genetic? Studies have shown us that depression and bipolar disorder tend to run in families. First-degree relatives of bipolar patients (their parents, siblings, and children) are at a 10-fold increased risk for bipolar disorder and are also at increased risk for depression. However, because family studies cannot tease apart genetic susceptibility and environmental susceptibility, both of which may be shared within a family, twin studies have provided us with additional insight. Monozygotic (identical) twins, who share 100% of their genetic information (DNA), are more likely to both have a mood disorder than dizygotic (fraternal) twins, who share, on average, 50% of their genetic information. This difference is evidence for a genetic susceptibility for bipolar disorder. The proportion of the liability to bipolar disorder that is thought to be genetic about 75%. At Johns Hopkins, we are actively searching for susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder. Finding the genes responsible for bipolar disorder will help us to understand what goes wrong in the brain and should yield better treatments, better diagnoses, and techniques for illness prevention. Do I have to come to Johns Hopkins to participate? No. All interviews can be conducted by telephone, and we have interview times available throughout the day and evening to accommodate different time zones. We mail kits with blood tubes and shipping materials so participants can have their blood drawn at their doctor’s office or at a local lab and mail the blood to a storage facility at Rutgers University in New Jersey. How do I know that my information will be kept confidential? All of your identifying information will be kept in a locked filing cabinet or in a secure database. Your blood, which will be shipped to our facility at Rutgers University in New Jersey, will only be labeled with your numerical study identification, not your name. Our research is collaborative, meaning that researchers at other universities will have access to your clinical and genetic information, but all of this information will be de-identified and anonymous. How long have you been doing this research? What have you found? Psychiatrists at Johns Hopkins have been looking for the genes for bipolar disorder since 1988. Highlights of our research findings to date include:
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For more information, please call 1-877-666-3754 or email moods@jhu.edu
