Brain scan study aims to map bipolar Disorder's hidden pathways
NCT ID NCT05186077
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study used MRI brain scans to look at the brain's white matter connections in people with bipolar disorder. Researchers compared those whose illness responds to treatment with those who do not respond, as well as healthy volunteers. The goal was to find brain differences that could one day lead to new treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could help identify brain targets for future treatments for bipolar disorder.
- What could go wrong
- The study was terminated early with only 26 participants, so results may be limited and not generalizable. It was an observational imaging study, not a treatment trial.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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26 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2020
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Participants from all three groups will be made up of those who respond to IRB approved advertisements or are referred by a provider within the UHCMC Department of Psychiatry or other provider referral.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Group 1: Healthy Volunteers Inclusion Criteria for Group 1: 1. Male or female ≥18 years of age 2. Capable of understanding/complying with protocol requirements 3. Has competency to understand and sign informed consent form 4. Physically healthy with no acute medical condition and ≤3 stable, chronic medical conditions 5. Without current and/or lifetime psychiatric disorders as assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for DSM-5 (MINI) Exclusion Criteria for Group 1: 1. Acute medical condition or \>3 stable, chronic health conditions 2. Significant structural brain lesion 3. Progressive neurological disease 4. Preexisting implanted electrical device 5. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant 6. Contraindications to MR imaging 7. Tests positive for cannabis, illegal substances, or prescription medications without valid prescription 8. Currently taking steroids, opioids, or other agents that might affect brain circuitry per research team discretion 9. Use of cigarettes or other nicotine products within 12 hours of imaging visit 10. Use of stimulants 24 hours prior MRI visit 11. Presents an immediate danger to self or others as judged by research psychiatrist 12. Has psychiatric disorder, including alcohol/drug use disorder or personality disorder Group 2: Treatment-Responsive BDI Inclusion Criteria for Group 2: 1. Male or female ≥18 years of age 2. Capable of understanding/complying with protocol requirements 3. Has competency to understand and sign informed consent form 4. Physically healthy with no acute medical condition and ≤3 stable, chronic medical conditions 5. Meets diagnostic criteria for BDI or BDII according to the DSM-5 criteria 6. Must be stable on current BD medications with no dosing changes in the last 30 days or not currently taking any BD medications. 7. Recent mood episode must currently be in remission for \> 8 weeks 8. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ≤10 total score during the psychiatric assessments portion and at the MRI visit (if repeated at MRI visit) 9. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) ≤12 total score during the psychiatric assessments portion and at the MRI visit (if repeated at MRI visit) 10. Clinical Global Impression-Severity for Bipolar Disorder (CGI-S-BD) ≤2 during the psychiatric assessments visit 11. Must be adherent (≥ 80%) with BD medication(s) Exclusion Criteria for Group 2: 1. Acute medical condition or \>3 stable, chronic health conditions 2. Significant structural brain lesion 3. Progressive neurological disease 4. Preexisting implanted electrical device 5. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant 6. Contraindications to MR imaging 7. Tests positive for cannabis, illegal substances, or prescription medications without valid prescription 8. Currently taking steroids, opioids, or other agents that might affect brain circuitry per research team discretion 9. Use of cigarettes or other nicotine products within 12 hours of imaging visit 10. Use of stimulants within 24 hours of imaging visit 11. Presents an immediate danger to self or others as judged by research psychiatrist 12. Has had changes in medications within 30 days 13. Contribution of any co-occurring psychiatric comorbidity disproportionate to contribution of BDI or BDII 14. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current borderline or antisocial personality disorder 15. Meets DSM-5 criteria for alcohol and/or drug use disorder within 6 months, excluding caffeine and/or nicotine Group 3: Treatment-Refractory BDI Inclusion Criteria for Group 3: 1. Male or female ≥18 years of age 2. Capable of understanding/complying with protocol requirements 3. Has competency to understand and sign informed consent form 4. Physically healthy with no acute medical condition and ≤3 stable, chronic medical conditions 5. Meets diagnostic criteria for BDI or BDII according to the DSM-5 criteria 6. Must be stable on drugs, including at least 1 mood stabilizer, with no dosing changes in the last 30 days 7. GCI-S-BD \>3 at the psychiatric assessments visit 8. MADRS ≥20 total score or YMRS ≥18 total score during the psychiatric assessments portion and at the MRI visit (if repeated at MRI visit) 9. BD-associated mood episodes are primary source of disability, according to both subject and psychiatrist 10. Current depressive episode lasting ≥6 months despite ≥ 2 adequate evidence-based first-line treatment \> 8 weeks, current manic/hypomanic episode lasting ≥2 months despite ≥ 2 adequate evidence-based first-line treatment \> 4 weeks, or meeting rapid cycling criteria in last 12 months despite ≥2 evidence-based first-line treatments for BDI or BDII assessed with assistance of Modified Antidepressant Treatment History Form (MATHF) 11. Severe impairment with score of ≥7 on at least one of three subscales of Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), which includes assessment of work-life, family-life, and social life during the psychiatric assessments portion Exclusion Criteria for Group 3: 1. Acute medical condition or \>3 stable, chronic health conditions 2. Significant structural brain lesion 3. Progressive neurological disease 4. Preexisting implanted electrical device 5. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant 6. Contraindications to MR imaging 7. Tests positive for cannabis, illegal substances, or prescription medications without valid prescription 8. Currently taking steroids, opioids, or other agents that might affect brain circuitry per research team discretion 9. Use of cigarettes or other nicotine products within 12 hours of imaging visit 10. Use of stimulants within 24 hours of imaging visit 11. Presents an immediate danger to self or others as judged by research psychiatrist 12. Has had changes in medications within 30 days 13. Contribution of any co-occurring psychiatric comorbidity disproportionate to contribution of BDI or BDII 14. Meets DSM-5 criteria for current borderline or antisocial personality disorder 15. Meets DSM-5 criteria for alcohol and/or drug use disorder within 6 months, excluding caffeine and/or nicotine
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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