Shine Initiative supports bipolar research project

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — In an attempt to alleviate the stresses faced by the more than 50 million Americans with mental illnesses, a new research project was recently funded which focuses on how many parents with bipolar disorder are concerned about passing the heritable condition on to their children. The project, which The Shine Initiative funded and which Dr. Aude Henin, director of Congnitive-Behavior Therapy Program, Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital conducted is based on clinical work she has carried out over the last several years. “For many years I have been focused on how growing numbers of parents with bipolar disorder and parents concerned about passing the condition on to their children, since it is very heritable,” said Dr. Henin. “The concern is so great because bipolar (disorder) can be extremely devastating for children, since the lag time between the onset of the illness and the diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be as much as 10 years.” According to Dr. Henin, the project would not have been possible without the ongoing dedication and support of the members behind the initiative. “The Shine Initiative has been absolutely instrumental to the project. We value the grant support so much because funding in general is very limited,” said Dr. Henin. “I must secure funding on my own during the first few years of my post-training, and this has enabled the whole line of research and without the support my project simply wouldn’t exist.” Funding for the project was provided by the initiative through NARSAD, the world’s leading charity dedicated to mental health research. The grant monies have enabled a study utilizing neuroimaging for three groups of at-risk children; one with the disorder already, one with some symptoms but without the full disorder, and one without the disorder but at least one parent with the disorder. The neuroimaging allows the examination of brain chemicals and brain structure. Dr. Henin’s team is also collecting genetic data with the goal of identifying which of these groups are the most at risk. Chairman of the initiative Ed Manzi said funding mental health research projects such as this one is a primary focus of the program. “Sponsoring research like Dr. Henin’s is an important part of our mission to help shine a light on mental illness,” said Mr. Manzi. “We need to continue to learn about these mainstream health issues, especially their biological causes, so we can educate the misinformed and improve treatment for those affected.” Mr. Manzi said furthering research studies is one of the best ways a community can come together to help those with mental illnesses. “Mental illness can affect anyone, but by supporting The Shine Initiative, anyone can affect mental illness,” said Mr. Manzi. The initiative will be holding its annual fundraiser at 5 p.m., Wednesday Nov. 5, in the ballroom of the Four Points by Sheraton in Leominster. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 5 on 10/2/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 233)