Event Title
Neurological Effects of Caffeine on Individuals With Bipolar Disorder
Faculty Mentor
Curt Phifer
Location
Hamilton Hall 113
Session
Session 1
Start Date
11-4-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
11-4-2014 2:00 PM
COinS
Apr 11th, 1:00 PM
Apr 11th, 2:00 PM
Neurological Effects of Caffeine on Individuals With Bipolar Disorder
Hamilton Hall 113
Comments
Neurological and psychological literature were searched for potential connections between the chemical effects of caffeine on neural function and neurological abnormalities associated with bipolar disorder. The analysis revealed several brain regions where caffeine actions and bipolar disorder abnormalities align. In particular, pathways involving the prefrontal and cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, and hippocampus appear to be connected to both caffeine and bipolar correlates. Abnormalities in the pathways through the basal ganglia are thought to be a leading determinant of abnormal behavior in bipolar disorder. These findings, though correlational, give direction for future research on bipolar disorder mechanisms.