The Guest Editors and the Editorial Office would like to recognize
Dr. Yang Jie for her help in coordinating this Research Topic.
Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder are recurrent debilitating disorders. The depressive phase of bipolar disorder is broadly similar to unipolar depression in its clinical manifestation, which often obscures the differential diagnosis. Misdiagnosis of bipolar depression as unipolar depression may lead to inappropriate treatment, poor prognosis such as iatrogenic mood instability switching to mania or increased suicidality, and consequently, higher healthcare costs. Therefore, it is crucially important to explore biomarkers that highlight the potential differences in pathophysiology in the early stages of the disease between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder. However, the correct process to detect different and common mechanisms of the two mood disorders remain unclear and the objective diagnostic criteria are still lacking.
Exploring distinctions between unipolar depression and bipolar disorders could help us to orientate the biological markers for identification and to deeply understand the pathological mechanisms of the two mental disorders. Notably, the occurrence and development of mental disorders are closely related to genetic factors and environment. Genetic analysis and neuroimaging techniques provide necessary tools to reveal the potential mechanism of depression at the level of genetics and brain structure/function.
In order to better distinguish unipolar depression and bipolar disorder, the aim of this Research Topic is to explore different and common mechanisms of the two mental disorders and find the potential biological markers using genetic analysis, neuroimaging techniques and other tools of scientific research.
We welcome Original, high-quality research (particularly longitudinal designs), as well as Review Articles, commentaries and perspectives on, but not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. Biomarkers that distinguish bipolar disorders from unipolar disorder: Evidence from neuroimaging (e.g. structural magnetic resonance imaging, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, task-related fMRI or combined structural and functional measures);
2. Study on early identification of bipolar from unipolar depression before manic episode using brain imaging techniques (e.g. structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging ) or genetic analysis;
3. Genetic research and clinical measures including cognition, behaviors, social psychological factors and environmental factors to identify the risk of translating into bipolar disorder;
4. Exploring predictors of treatment effect in bipolar/unipolar depression using genetic testing, neuroimaging or neuropsychological test.