Bipolar Disorder and Epilepsy.Neurotransmitters called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine have been implicated in mania:
- GABA helps prevent nerve cells from over-firing
- Norepinephrine is a hormone that involves stress
Some research has associated similar biologic mechanisms in patients with epilepsy and bipolar disorder. As in epilepsy, the more episodes a bipolar disorder patient experiences early in the course of the disease, the more frequent and severe later episodes will be. Antiseizure drugs, in fact, can play an important role in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Panic Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.Researchers are also studying the common biologic and genetic factors between panic disorder and bipolar disorder. While specific genes have not yet been identified, some researchers studying these illnesses now believe that they may represent different forms of a shared, complex condition.
Previous Section
