Neuroimaging in older-age bipolar disorder
Florindo Stella, Rodolfo B. Ladeira, Orestes V. ForlenzaPurpose of review
This review summarizes neuroimaging studies designed to investigate cortical and subcortical brain changes in older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD). The imaging modalities discussed in the review include structural MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) addressing white-matter microstructure, and functional and molecular neuroimaging with PET (18-F-FDG-PET, amyloid-PET, and tau-PET).
Recent findings
Although limited, the neuroimaging evidence in OABD points to cortical thinning, reduced gray matter volume, subcortical alterations, and decreased fractional anisotropy in white-matter tracts. Studies also report a ‘brain age gap’ in bipolar disorder, in which predicted brain age (as per neuroimaging scans) exceeds chronological age.
Summary
Neuroimaging research in OABD remains limited by methodological heterogeneity, including variable imaging protocols, differences in episode severity and frequency, the effects of pharmacological treatment and neurobiological changes associated with disease chronicity. These factors restrict comparability and generalizability across studies.