J Korean Soc Biol Psychiatry.  1997 Jun;4(1):60-66.

Clinical Correlates of Subeortical Hyperintensities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: Preliminary Study

• Yoon DH
• Kwon JS
• Han MH
• Chang KH

Abstract

OBJECT: Accumulating evidence suggests a greater number of subcortical hyperintensities in the brain with bipolar disorder. We studied the Clinical correlates of subcortical hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Bipolar Disorder.
METHODS
Magnetic resonance images of the brain were obtained for 32 patients with bipolar disorder. The presence and location of hyperintensities were assessed. We compared clinical variables between with subcortical hyperintensities and patients without them.
RESULTS
Seven Patients(21.8%) had subcortical hyperintensities, but among 8 patients who were or older, 5 patients(625) had them, Age and age of onset of patients with subcotical hyperintensities were significantly older than patients without them. Psychotic symptoms were more frequent in patients with hyperintensities. Patients without hyperintesities had more familial loading.
CONCLUSION
Given the limitations of the study, our results should be seen as preliminary. This study, however, provides preliminary evidence supporting the notion that the onset, clinical feature and course of some bipolar disorders of late onset may be determined by underlying subcortical abnormalities, with such abnormalities being the consequence of factors related to aging or neurodegeneration(such as impaired cerebral circulation) rather than genetic factors which predispose to early-onset bipolar disorders.

MeSH Terms

Age of Onset
Aging
Bipolar Disorder*
Brain
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*