Amygdala structure and function in paediatric bipolar disorder and high-risk youth: A systematic review of magnetic resonance imaging findings

Abstract

Objective

Converging evidence from structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies points to amygdala alteration as crucial in the development of paediatric bipolar disorder (pBP). The high number of recent studies prompted us to comprehensively evaluate findings. We aimed to systematically review structural and functional MRI studies investigating the amygdala in patients with pBP and in youth at high-risk (HR) for developing pBP.

Methods

We searched PubMed from any time to 25 September 2020 using: ‘amygdala AND (MRI OR magnetic resonance imaging) AND bipolar AND (pediatr* OR child OR children OR childhood OR adolescent OR adolescents OR adolescence OR young OR familial OR at-risk OR sibling* OR offspring OR high risk)’. In this review, we adhered to the PRISMA statement.

Results

Amygdala hyperactivity to emotional stimuli is the most commonly reported finding in youth with pBP and HR compared to healthy peers (HC), whereas findings from structural MRI studies are inconsistent.

Conclusions

Hyperactivation of the amygdala might be an endophenotype of pBP.

Keywords:

• Amygdala
• neuroimaging
• structural magnetic resonance imaging
• functional magnetic resonance imaging
• paediatric bipolar disorder
• bipolar high risk

Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of their secretary Ms. Tatiana Renzi in reviewing and correcting the final draft; we are also grateful to Ms Mimma Ariano, Ms Ales Casciaro, Ms Teresa Prioreschi, and Ms Susanna Rospo, Librarians of the Sant’Andrea Hospital, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, for rendering precious bibliographic material accessible.

Disclosure statement

None to declare.