Grant: Project Grant

An American Heart Association Scientific Statement positioned bipolar disorder (BD) as a Tier II-Moderate Risk condition that predisposes youth to early development of heart disease. Importantly, the increased risk of heart disease in BD is above-and-beyond what can be explained by traditional heart disease risk factors (e.g. high blood pressure, obesity), diet, physical activity, or medications. We plan to measure blood-vessel function and structure in the brain, retina (eye), heart, and finger in order to better understand problems with small blood-vessels in BD. Over 5 years, this study will look at 300 teens:120 with BD, 60 offspring of a parent with BD, 60 offspring of a parent with a heart-related conditions, and 60 healthy comparison teens. Small-vessels will be measured using MRI of the brain and the heart, photographs of retinal vessels in the eyes, and blood vessel functioning in the fingers. Heart disease risk factors will be measured according to standardized international criteria. Inflammation will be measured using standard scientific protocols. Cognition will be measured using a computerized touch-screen program. This study will look at factors that are linked with small-vessel problems, such as exercise, diet, use of substances, and inflammation. We predict that the health of small blood vessels will differ across the different study groups: small blood vessel health will be worst in BD, intermediate in offspring of parents with BD and offspring of parents with heart-related conditions, and best in healthy teens. The study investigators are experts in the various areas that the study investigates, including psychiatry, ophthalmology, cardiology, MRI, cognition, inflammation, and knowledge translation. Once completed, this study will advance the understanding of how small blood-vessels are relevant to BD, and may guide the development of new treatment approaches.