genes@bipolar-foundation.org
A Call to Action- for the next generation
working to understand the interaction between genetic and enviromental factors in bipolar disorder
Genetic Factors in Susceptibility To Bipolar Disorder
Equilibrium- the bipolar foundation are working together with researchers at
top international centers in the UK and USA to help establish the genes
involved in making some individuals more vulnerable to bipolar disorder
to others and how they interact with environmental factors.
We are doing this because we strongly believe that in the medium term,
and certainly for the next generation of people with bipolar disorder,
it will start to make a practical difference. Eventually it will allow in development of new
treatments and pesonalisation of treatment planning via prediction of
response to treatments and avoidance or reduction of side-effects.
This study is one of the types of project the Bipolar In-Touch Network
was set up to facilitate. An important complex issue, which can only
be solved by groups of researchers from different places working
together with a large number of people affected by bipolar disorder.
As someone who has been affected by bipolar disorder, your
participation in this study is invaluable.
Only very recently has the technology become available to carry out
these studies. The main issue now determining the success of the studies
is the size of the samples and therefore the number of people willing
to participate.
We are convinced that things are now at a stage that a concerted, large
scale effort by people with bipolar disorder is required. To reliably
unravel the complexities of a problem like bipolar disorder where there
is an interaction between a variety of different genes and environmental
factors, the need is for thousands of participants. We are currently
aiming for 4000 more participants.
It is being done in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, various forms of cancer and it needs to be done in bipolar disorder.
All the research protocols involved have been approved by the local
ethics committees, multicenter ethics committees or appropriate review
boards for the individuals centers involved.
We appreciate that most people are very busy nowadays and will try to
take as little of your time as possible. If you were to agree to assist
in the study all it would involve for you only two things:
What does it involve for me?
1. A short talk and questionnaire with me which takes
approximately 45-60 minutes. Ideally this would be carried out face to
face, but depending on where you live, may need to be carried out over
the phone.
2. Having one blood sample taken, at the same visit, much as a
routine sample your general practitioner/ family practitioner would
take.
3. In a minority of cases, depending on your location, we may ask you to complete a web interview and return a small saliva sample in a special tube by post rather than have a blood sample.
Confidentiality and "Results"
Equilibrium will pass your contact details to the appropriate local research team. After this your clinical details, results of interview, results of blood tests will be dealt with absolutely confidentially by the local research team in a way that they will explain to you themselves.
People sometimes ask if they will be told the results of genetic analysis on blood samples. The answer to this is NO and YES. NO- you will not be given any specific 'test result' about your own blood sample as we are not carrying out a specific blood test. YES- we will ensure that every person who participates will receive a summary of the results of the findings of the studies when they are published and the initial outcome is known.
The research teams are often happy to arrange to see you
at your home, a local hospital, a health centre or anywhere else
convenient of your choosing but arrangements may vary depending on
local centers.
Any Questions?
If you think of any further questions you may like answered before you make up your mind you may contact us at genes@bipolar-foundation.org . Alternatively, if you prefer, you should feel free to discuss these when a member of the local research team contacts you as you are not making a commitment to participate by filling in the contact form.
Please do participate.
When you send back the form to us we will match you up by location with the nearest appropriate research team. Please remember there may be some locations where this may be very difficult.
