Abstract

In this review, we debate the evidence for abnormal white matter microstructure and myelination in bipolar disorder, as mainly detected by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies. The effects of mood stabilizers on white matter are discussed, based on available findings from human and animal studies. Last, perspectives in this field of research are also drawn.

Keywords: Diffusion imaging, white matter, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, corpus callosum, lithium, valproate