Angelina Tadros
Genetics Blog #2
Dr. Barbato
November 20, 2025
Genetic Breakthroughs in Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly heritable psychiatric condition. Its genetic basis has been difficult to map because it involves many small genetic effects rather than a singular “bipolar gene”. This large multi-ancestral study broadens our understanding by identifying 298 genetic loci linked to BD, making it one of the strongest genetic analyses done so far. The researchers compared clinically diagnosed cases with a large set of self reported data (from 23AndMe and others), finding that the self reported samples often more closely resemble BD type II, while clinically established samples matched better with BD type I and schizophrenia related genetic patterns. This shows that bipolar disorder varies across different groups of patients (clinically diagnosed and self reported), and that the type of sample researchers use can influence the kind of genetic patterns they see.
This study further revealed that many of the identified genetic variants influence pathways involved in synaptic function( how neurons communicate with each other at the synapses), dopamine and calcium signaling, and specific neuron types in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus- areas heavily involved in mood regulation. Genetic risk scores are able to now give some sort of an idea of who might inherit/develop bipolar disorder, especially when using high quality clinical data, although they are not yet reliable enough for medical decisions. Still, the study identified over 100 genes that may contribute to the disorder, showing links between bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions.
Figure 1-shows the correlation, and standard error, between BD and other disorders
This research is important for individuals living with bipolar disorder because it ensures that BD is a biological, brain-based condition, not an issue of personal weakness. By exposing how complex the genetics of bipolar disorder truly are, this study helps scientists move a step in the right direction toward more accurate/precise diagnoses and possibly better treatments at some point in the future. While the results are not yet entrusted to predict who will get BD, it offers an opportunity to better understand and grow in how we think and address similar situations. The study ultimately brings us closer to understanding its biology and offers hope for improved therapies in the future.
Article link +picture link
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08468-9
Similar article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)60072-6/abstract
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