Original Articles

Vol. 63 No. 1 (2025): Neuropsychiatric Investigation

White Matter Reductions and Basal Ganglion Asymmetries in First Manic Episode Bipolar Disorder

Main Article Content

Olga Bayar Kapıcı
Yaşar Kapıcı
Atilla Tekin
Mehmet Şirik
Dilek Örüm

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the volumes and asymmetries of various brain regions of drug-naive patients with first manic episode bipolar disorder type 1 (FME-BD-1) were examined via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compared with the healthy control (HC) group.


Methods: The current study included 54 patients diagnosed with FME-BD-1 and 67 age- and sex-matched HCs. Brain MRI segments of subjects were processed using the VolBrain software. The Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was used to assess manic symptoms and their severity.


Results: There were 34 males (63.00%) and 20 females (37.00%) in FME-BD-1 group, 38 males (56.7%) and 29 females (43.3%) in the HC group. The percentages of total (P=.018), right (P=.014), and left cerebrum white matter (WM) (P=.022) of the FME-BD-1 group were significantly lower than the HC group. The percentages of total (P=.020), right (P=.028), and left cerebellum WM (P=.022) of the FME-BD-1 group were significantly lower than the HC group. The volumes of the total (P=.026) and left cerebellum WM (P=.030) in the FME-BD-1 group were significantly lower than the HC group. Accumbens (P=.018) and caudatus asymmetries (P=.006) were significantly different between the FME-BD-1 and HC groups. A significant negative correlation was found between total cerebrum WM and YMRS scores (r=−0.611, P < .001).


Conclusion: In conclusion, drug-naive FME-BD-1 is associated with cerebral and cerebellar volume reductions. Moreover, nucleus caudatus asymmetry and accumbens asymmetry were significantly different in FME-BD-1 compared to HCs.


Cite this article as: Kapıcı OB, Kapıcı Y, Tekin A, Şirik M, Örüm D. White matter reductions and basal ganglion asymmetries in first manic episode bipolar disorder. Neuropsychiatr Invest. 2025, 63, 0059, doi:10.5152/NeuropsychiatricInvest.2025.24059.

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