Bipolar Disorder on the Knife’s Edge of Emotion

In this week's episode, we take a look at bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is what happens when out-of-control brain chemicals cut our ability to regulate our mood. The condition results in uncontrollable mood swings that can last for weeks at a time, ranging from impuslive mania to debilitating depression.References:Miller S, Dell'Osso B, Ketter TA. The prevalence and burden of bipolar depression. Journal of affective disorders. 2014 Dec 1;169:S3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70003-5Jain A, Mitra P. Bipolar disorder. In: StatPears [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Updated February 20, 2023. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558998/Scaini G, Valvassori SS, Diaz AP, Lima CN, Benevenuto D, Fries GR, Quevedo J. Neurobiology of bipolar disorders: a review of genetic components, signaling pathways, biochemical changes, and neuroimaging findings. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020 Apr 3;42(5):536-51. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0732Frye MA, Prieto ML, Bobo WV, Kung S, Veldic M, Alarcon RD, Moore KM, Choi DS, Biernacka JM, Tye SJ. Current landscape, unmet needs, and future directions for treatment of bipolar depression. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014 Dec 1;169:S17-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70005-9Costa LDS, Alencar ÁP, Neto PJN, dos Santos MD, da Silva CGL, Pinheiro SDFL, Teixeira Silveira R, Bianco BAV, Pinheiro Júnior RF, de Lima MAP, Reis AOA. Risk factors for suicide in bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Journal of affective disorders. 2015 Jan 1;170:237-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.09.003Bruijnzeel AW. kappa-Opioid receptor signaling and brain reward function. Brain research reviews. 2009 Dec 11;62(1):127-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2009.09.008Jacobson ML, Browne CA, Lucki I. Kappa opioid receptor antagonists as potential therapeutics for stress-related disorders. Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology. 2020 Jan 6;60(1):615-36. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010919-023317Share with a friend. Rate, Review, and Subscribe to MedEvidence! Articles to be notified when new episodes are released.Follow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterLinkedInTiktokYoutubeFor more great content, including discussions by physicians and clinical research experts, check out the MedEvidence! Podcast and MedEvidence.comThank you for listening!