The relationship between oxidative stress and post-translational modification of the dopamine transporter in bipolar disorder

Abstract

Bipolar disorder (BD) has been consistently associated with altered levels of oxidative stress markers, although the cause and consequences of these alterations remain to be elucidated. One of the main hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of mania involves increased dopaminergic transmission. In this review, the authors aim to discuss a potential mechanism by which increased oxidative stress inhibits the uptake of dopamine through the post-translational modification of the dopamine transporter and its implications for BD. Within the next 5 years, the authors believe that the mechanisms of dopamine transporter oxidation and its impact on the pathophysiology of BD will be elucidated, which may open avenues for the development of more specific interventions for the treatment of this debilitating illness.

Keywords::

• bipolar disorder
• dopamine
• dopamine transporter
• lithium
• N-acetyl cysteine
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank L Trevor Young for his support and enthusiasm for this project.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

HK Kim has received an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. AC Andreazza receives grant support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.