2 Genes May Be Linked to Bipolar Disorder

Two abnormal genes may have a role in bipolar disorder, a new study finds. Researchers pooled genetic data from several sources. They included a total of 10,596 people. Of these, 4,387 had bipolar disorder. Variant forms of two genes were most likely to be found in people with bipolar disorder. These genes build parts of channels that manage the flow of sodium and calcium to and from nerve cells. Drugs now used to treat bipolar disorder are believed to target these channels. The study was published online August 17 by the journal Nature Genetics.