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Biomedical Basics

Bipolar disorder neurobiology

  • Created by Henry Stewart Talks
Published on September 30, 2026   4 min

A selection of talks on Neuroscience

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Welcome to this lecture on bipolar disorder and neurobiology, providing an overview of the defining features and neurobiological basis of bipolar disorder, focusing on how genetic, environmental, and circuit level factors contribute to the illness. We will explore key brain regions and neurotransmitter systems involved in regulating mood and how their dysfunction leads to the alternating manic and depressive episodes. Additionally, we will discuss the disorders high heritability, the role of gene environment interactions, and how insights from neuroscience are shaping modern treatments and precision medicine. Bipolar disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression is among the most complex psychiatric illnesses. Understanding its neurobiological roots is crucial for advancing diagnosis and treatment. Research shows bipolar disorder arises from interplay between genetic risk, environmental stresses, and neurobiological changes affecting emotional regulation. These insights help explain the emergence of episodes and the variability in treatment responses among patients. Central to bipolar disorders neurobiology are brain circuits responsible for mood regulation. The prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus form a network regulating motivation, emotional reactivity, and social behavior. In mania neuroimaging shows increased reward and limbic activity with reduced prefrontal control in depression, striatal hypoactivity, and stress region overactivity.

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Bipolar disorder neurobiology

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