NEW HOPE FOR SUFFERERS OF MANIC-DEPRESSION

Dr. Ronen Sosnik awarded a Ministry of Science grant for a new approach in identifying and predicting bipolar disorder.

Dr. Ronen Sosnik, Head of the Hybrid Brain Computer Interface Lab in the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Digital Medical Technologies, received a prestigious research grant from the Ministry of Science to develop a new approach for detecting bipolar disorder. The research studies electrical brain signaling and functional infrared light spectroscopy.

The study, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Director of the Psychiatric Department at Ma'ale HaCarmel Hospital, Prof. Anatoly Karnin, and Prof. Mirsa Polosan a psychiatrist from the Psychiatric Hospital in Grenoble, France, deals with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder), a mental disorder from which about one percent of the population suffers. The disorder manifests itself in extreme mood swings - from a sense of euphoria and overconfidence which can result in such uncontrolled actions as wanton spending of money and impulsive and wreckless behavior to sinking into a deep morose depression. The disease usually appears in adolescence.

Dr. Sosnik explains: "The study has two main objectives: the first is to identify electrophysiological markers of the changes occuring in neural networks which denote the onset of the disease. The second is to assess the prognostic capability of electrical brain record (EEG), which records electrical neural activity; and infrared light spectroscopy (fNIRS), which records brain activity based on cerebral blood flow. In addition to identifying an overall population with a pronounced disposition to develop the disease in general and family members who might also develop the disorder in particular, the study has many other applications.  Of particular note is the assistance it can provide to the military in recruiting soldiers for units where mental resilience is required.

During the two-year research project, 80 manic-depressive patients at different levels and stages of the disorder will be examined, together with first-degree relatives and a control group of healthy subjects with no family affinity.  These non-invasive examinations will measure and calculate such things as the connectivity between different brain regions and the coupling between the neural signal and blood flow (neurovascular coupling).  This can reveal potential degenerative brain diseases, and other phenomena.

Until now, most methods employed in making a differential diagnosis of the disease rely largely on indices and behavioral questionnaires and are based on genetic, molecular or biochemical markers.  The innovation in this study is that it uses diagnostic technology which are personalized specifically to the client and will allow us to reach a differential diagnosis with high precision of accuracy.”  

Posted:20/12/20