BACKGROUND:
This study was conducted to further examine the hypothesis of abnormalities in size of corpus callosum in subjects with bipolar disorder.
METHODS:
Sixteen right-handed DSM-IV bipolar I patients and 27 right-handed healthy control subjects were studied. A 1.5-T GE Signa magnet was used, and three-dimensional gradient echo imaging (spoiled gradient recall acquisition) was conducted. Area measurements of corpus callosum were obtained blindly, with a semi-automated software, by a well-trained rater.
RESULTS:
Right-handed bipolar I patients had significantly smaller total corpus callosum, genu, posterior body, and isthmus areas compared with right-handed healthy control subjects (analysis of covariance with age, gender, and intracranial volume as covariates, p .05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Smaller callosal areas may lead to altered inter-hemispheric communication and be involved in the pathophysiology and cognitive impairment found in bipolar disorder
