Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on The Use of PET in the Research of Bipolar Disorder. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 4 page paper evaluates how research in bipolar disorder has led to important findings. Bipolar Disorder itself is briefly discussed. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA317BiP.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
in the United States (Young, 1999). It affects more than 5 million people, or approximately 2% (1999, p.1A) of the population. While bipolar is a psychiatric illness, it is thought
that there are physical causes and at least the brains of bipolar patients appear to be different from that of normal individuals. Still, while specific genes that predispose people
to psychiatric disorders have not yet been identified, the presence of such is completely and convincingly documented via family, twin, and adoption studies (Cohen, 2001). That said, some wonderful
finds have come out of new research, particularly with those using Positronic Emission Tomography, and indicate that there may indeed be a causal relationship that has eluded professionals for decades.
While more research needs to be done, Positronic Emission Tomography has research potential for shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of bipolar disorder (Sheline, 2003). Studies of patients who have
either major depression or bipolar disorder have demonstrated a reduction of glucose metabolism in the prefrontal brain cortex, something that may be correlated with the severity of the illness
(2003). It is thought that abnormalities in brain biochemistry and in the structure or activities of certain brain circuits are responsible for the extreme shifts in mood, energy and
functioning that seem to characterize bipolar disorder (2003). For such illnesses, PET can identify regional brain activity changes and also spot how they change with treatment (2003). In studies
that use labeled neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, PET can provide information regarding what the underlying abnormalities are in terms of neurotransmitters and the degree to which these abnormalities return
to normal with a particular treatment (2003). In studies concerning depression, researchers have identified changes in brain serotonin binding which normalize with treatment (2003). Research with the
...