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A free, online database is now available that might help efforts to identify genes associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder. This serious condition, also known as manic-depressive illness, causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy and ability to function.

The Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database has been created by combining retrospective clinical data collected over 20 years by researchers at the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins and the National Institute of Mental Health [Potash JB et al. (2007)  Am J Psychiatry 164:1229-1237]. It offers detailed descriptions of the symptoms and course of disease in over 5 000 people with bipolar disorder. DNA samples are also available from many of the patients.

Although numerous family, twin and adoption studies indicate that there is a strong genetic component to the aetiology of bipolar disorder, as yet, none of the multiple susceptibility genes that are involved have been identified.

Using the database, which includes information from affected family members, the researchers have already shown that many symptoms of the disease are strongly familial. A statement from Dr James Potash, leader the Johns Hopkins group reads "This database describes the clinical picture of bipolar disorder in the fullest detail possible. It also lets us pick out meaningful clusters of symptoms that will ultimately help identify genes".

Comment: This database has the potential to distinguish clinical subtypes of bipolar disorder. This has been useful in determining the aetiology of other illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer, in which studying families with early onset illness has led to the identification of disease-associated genes.