The first model of stem cells may lead to new treatments for bipolar disorder

It is unclear what causes bipolar disorder — a condition that is characterized by dramatic changes of mood. But scientists from the University of Michigan at Military medical school have created the first model of stem cells for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The team has published data about the discovery in the journal Translation Psychiatry 31 July 2014.

To achieve such results, the scientists have studied skin samples of people with bipolar disorder, alongside skin samples of people without the disease.

Scientists have created of samples of pluripotent stem cells (eng. iPSCs), and neurons. They measured gene expression in iPSCs and then overestimated it, as soon as the stem cells were transformed into neurons.

The team found significant differences between stem cells taken from the skin of patients with bipolar disorders and cells healthy people.

The researchers found that neurons from patients with the disorder expressed more genes for membrane receptors and ion channels than the neurons from healthy patients.

So scientists have suggested that genetic differences in early brain development may contribute to the development of bipolar or other mental health disorders later in life.

The research of Melvin Macinnis from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Military-medical school shows the potential that lies in the fact that this model of stem cells may lead to personalized treatment for bipolar disorder.

Source: globalscience.ru