METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING BIPOLAR AND UNIPOLAR DISORDER

摘要

Changes that occur in Na⁺K⁺ ATPase regulation and therefore in the membrane potential in cells from bipolar individuals, as compared to cells from unaffected control individuals, are utilized to provide a diagnostic assay for bipolar disorder. The diagnostic assay may also or instead exploit the similarity of cells from bipolar patients to those of people already known to have bipolar disorder. A similar diagnostic assay is provided for diagnosing unipolar disorder. The diagnostic assays may further involve manipulation of membrane potential by incubation of cells in K⁺-free buffer and/or incubation with one or more compounds that alter Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activity. Although a variety of cells may be used, the diagnostic assays preferably employ lymphoblasts or whole blood cells.