Multiplex immunoassay analysis of plasma shows differences in biomarkers related to manic or mixed mood states in bipolar disorder patients

Plasma from mania and mixed mood BD patients revealed similar changes in proteins related to insulin signalling, suggesting that these could be trait biomarkers. However, mania patients showed specific changes in hormonal and growth factor functions and mixed mood patients had a higher number of changes in inflammation-related molecules. Further studies of these and other biomarker candidates will increase our understanding of the systemic biological pathways affected in different BD mood states. This could lead to the identification of differential surrogate readouts and potential new drug targets for improved treatment outcomes.