BD2 Expands Global Research on Bipolar Disorder Mechanisms
- Breakthrough discoveries (BD) has announced its third round of Discovery Research grants, totaling nearly $18 million.
- Each team will receive up to $4.5 million over three years, joining a growing cohort of Discovery Research grantees.
- Neuromodulation encompasses a range of techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
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BD Awards $18 Million in Grants to Advance Bipolar disorder Research
At a Glance
Understanding the new Funding Initiative
Breakthrough discoveries (BD) has announced its third round of Discovery Research grants, totaling nearly $18 million. This notable investment aims to deepen the understanding of bipolar disorder by examining its underlying neural mechanisms. The grants will support multidisciplinary teams of scientists and clinicians from leading institutions including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mass General Brigham, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the University of Minnesota.
Each team will receive up to $4.5 million over three years, joining a growing cohort of Discovery Research grantees. A key feature of this funding round is the unified focus on neuromodulation – techniques used to alter nerve activity – to explore human neural circuitry in the context of bipolar disorder. This targeted approach promises to yield valuable insights into the brain’s role in the condition.
The Power of neuromodulation in Bipolar Disorder Research
Neuromodulation encompasses a range of techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS). These methods allow researchers to non-invasively or invasively stimulate or inhibit specific brain regions, offering a unique window into how neural circuits function in individuals with bipolar disorder. The use of these techniques represents a shift towards more precise and targeted research, moving beyond conventional observational studies.
According to a 2023 review in Biological Psychiatry, neuromodulation shows promise in treating treatment-resistant depression, a common co-occurring condition with bipolar disorder.Applying these techniques to understand the basic mechanisms of bipolar disorder could unlock new therapeutic avenues.
BD’s Commitment to Bipolar Disorder Research
With this latest round of grants, BD has now dedicated over $106 million to research focused on bipolar disorder. This substantial investment underscores the association’s commitment to accelerating scientific understanding and improving clinical care. BD emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, data sharing, and real-time learning as crucial components of its research strategy.
“The Discovery Research program is advancing our understanding of the causal mechanisms of bipolar disorder,” saeid Cara Altimus, PhD, Managing director of BD. “These new projects offer a pivotal opportunity to explore neural circuits and translate that knowledge into innovative treatment approaches. Through this funding, we will drive discovery, share insights across BD, and foster collaboration that accelerates better care for everyone living with bipolar disorder.”
Areas of Study funded by the Grants
The funded research projects will explore a variety of aspects of bipolar disorder,utilizing state-of-the-art neuromodulation techniques. Initial areas of study include:
- Ignacio Saez, PhD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will lead a team that will chronically… (Further details on specific research projects would be added here as available)