Deficits in inferior frontal cortex activation in euthymic bipolar disorder patients during a response inhibition task.

TitleDeficits in inferior frontal cortex activation in euthymic bipolar disorder patients during a response inhibition task.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsTownsend JD, Bookheimer SY, Foland-Ross LC, Moody TD, Eisenberger NI, Fischer JS, Cohen MS, Sugar CA, Altshuler LL
JournalBipolar Disord
Volume14
Issue4
Pagination442-50
Date Published2012 Jun
ISSN1399-5618
KeywordsAdult, Basal Ganglia, Bipolar Disorder, Brain Mapping, Case-Control Studies, Female, Functional Neuroimaging, Humans, Inhibition (Psychology), Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Prefrontal Cortex
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The inferior frontal cortical-striatal network plays an integral role in response inhibition in normal populations. While inferior frontal cortex (IFC) impairment has been reported in mania, this study explored whether this dysfunction persists in euthymia.

METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation was evaluated in 32 euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder and 30 healthy subjects while performing the Go/NoGo response inhibition task. Behavioral data were collected to evaluate accuracy and response time. Within-group and between-group comparisons of activation were conducted using whole-brain analyses to probe significant group differences in neural function.

RESULTS: Both groups activated bilateral IFC. However, between-group comparisons showed a significantly reduced activation in this brain region in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder compared to healthy subjects. Other frontal and basal ganglia regions involved in response inhibition were additionally significantly reduced in bipolar disorder patients, in both the medicated and the unmedicated subgroups. No areas of greater activation were observed in bipolar disorder patients versus healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar disorder patients, even during euthymia, have a persistent reduction in activation of brain regions involved in response inhibition, suggesting that reduced activation in the orbitofrontal cortex and striatum is not solely related to the state of mania. These findings may represent underlying trait abnormalities in bipolar disorder.

DOI10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01020.x
Alternate JournalBipolar Disord
PubMed ID22631623
PubMed Central IDPMC4412746
Grant List5F31MH078556 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
F31 MH078556 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
K24 MH001848 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
K24 MH001848 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
P41 RR013642 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
R21 MH075944 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R21 MH075944 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
RR00865 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR12169 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR13642 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States