Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic are using fMRI studies of bipolar and normal subjects to locate the parts of the brain effected by these illnesses. Scans reveal a disorder of connectivity between the Amydala and the anterior cingulate cortex, which is normalized by the use of a mood stabilizer (lithium). The fMRI scans can tract the response to treatment, as well as predict at risk individuals. When medications are optimized, the scans of the treated individuals look like normal controls.
Prescreening adolescent patients is important because the symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar can be similar. Treating a bipolar patient with antidepressants can trigger a manic episode in a young person, with dire consequences. This pre-scan can help make certain of the diagnosis before medication trials begin.
It must be noted that fMRI scans are only in research settings now, but the promise of this type of study is the hope of better diagnosis and treatment planning in the years to come for those suffering from psychiatric disorders.