DNA Copying Errors Linked To Bipolar Disorder
A scientific article published in the journal Neuron linked bipolar disorder to what are called “copy number variants” (CNVs) in DNA. CNVs occur when a given strand of DNA replicates either too many or too few copies. It is what is called a de novo mutation, meaning that the mutation is actually occurring in the bipolar patient himself or herself, not inherited. Not only was a correlation found between CNVs and bipolar disorder, but it was found that early onset bipolar disorder (before the age of 18) has an especially strong correlation. Previously, connections had been found between CNVs and schizophrenia, but this is the first time such a connection had been found between CNVs and bipolar disorder. More discussion of the study can be found in this article at Medical News Today.
Commentary
It is important to note that not all bipolar disorder is the result of these CNV mutations, only some of them. However, it may explain why bipolar disorder is not completely inherited. De Novo mutations occur in the individual.
It is also worth noting that this study provides further evidence for a common cause of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They both seem to correlate with CNVs, and this can be added to the numerous other correlations between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder than have been cropping up.
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