The Predictive Value of Neuroimaging Biomarkers in the Onset and Relapse of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder characterized by recurring episodes of mania and depression, making early diagnosis and the prediction of the onset and relapse of bipolar disorder prove difficult to do reliably. However, neuroimaging biomarkers (specifically ones from structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)) can offer new ways to understand and predict the disorder. This paper aims to show the extent of which neuroimaging biomarkers can predict the onset and relapse of bipolar disorder and the limitations of their clinical application. A literature review was conducted using existing research consisting of function and structural abnormalities, longitudinal studies, and machine learning approaches. The aforementioned studies found differences in grey matter volume and cortical thickness, especially in areas concerning emotional regulation and cognitive control. Functional MRI scans also reported altered brain activation in the frontal-limbic circuits and larger neural networks. Overall, the evidence suggests that although neuroimaging biomarkers can identify brain patterns associated with bipolar disorder, current methods are not reliable enough to predict the onset or relapse of bipolar disorder on their own. However, future research combining brain imaging with biological and clinical data may improve treatment and support earlier intervention and personalized treatment.