Researchers getting closer to finding bipolar gene

One in four Americans aged 18 or older has a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When left undiagnosed, a similar condition may result in substance abuse. Rehabilitation facilities can provide individuals with the help they need to live healthier lives.

Bipolar disorder, a form of depression, affects 5.7 million Americans every year, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Recently, researchers announced that they are getting closer to discovering the genetic link that runs in families affected by this condition. Brain imaging is helping analysts track the disorder as it runs through neural pathways, the Lexington Herald-Ledger reports.

Researchers believe that if they are able to discover a bipolar gene, they may have a chance to identify children with the predisposition earlier. This could mean a more stable, happier life for individuals suffering from the mental illness.

The median age for bipolar disorder onset is 25, according to the DBSA, but experts say it can begin in childhood. Two-thirds of people who suffer from the condition have a relative with some form of mental illness. Individuals who have become dependent on drugs or alcohol as a result of bipolar disorder can reach out to rehabilitation facilities for help.