NeuRA-Project

Genetic contributors, clinical course and pharmacogenomics of Bipolar Disorder

NeuRA Research Project

The NeuRA Research Project is a 45 and Up sub-study that aims to identify the genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder, examine why people with this condition tend to have higher rates of general medical illness, and determine for which subgroups targeted therapies would be beneficial. This will enhance capacity for personalised medicine in the future.

mental health concept decorative image

Background

45 and Up Study participants who have indicated they may have received a diagnosis from a doctor of bipolar disorder, acute mania, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective psychosis, or cyclic schizophrenia will be invited to the research project. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire which includes questions about mood, physical and mental health, medication use and responsiveness to treatment, and to provide a blood sample at their local NSW Health Pathology Service.

Participant information

Information about the research project and what participants are asked to do is available in the participant information statement.

Additional details about the background of the research project and about biobanking blood samples are also available.

Research partnership

This research project is being conducted by Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales and is in addition to the main 45 and Up Study. Questionnaire data collection is being managed by the Sax Institute, blood collections are managed by NSW Health Pathology, and genome sequencing will be performed at the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics.

Contact information

If you have any questions or comments about the NeuRA Research Project, please contact the 45 and Up Study team via:

Phone: 1300 45 11 45

Email: 45andUp@saxinstitute.org.au