Rare Genetic Mutations in DNA could indicate Bipolar Disorder

A recent study published by the University of California San Diego on December 21st, 2011 found that rare genetic mutations in DNA could indicate early signs of a child developing bipolar disorder. This group of genetic mutations are called rare copy number variants or CNVs, in which too many or too little copies of a certain sequence of DNA is produced in the genome of the individual.

It has been known before that these mutations can increase the risk of some neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia or autism, but never before Bipolar disorder. One researcher from the study stated that the existence of these genetic mutations in an individual’s genome could automatically increase the risk for a child or adolescent of getting bipolar disorder by 5%.