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Keynote Lecture 7

Contributions of Epidemiology to our Understanding of Bipolar Spectrum Disorder

Kathleen R. Merikangas, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator and Chief, Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National
Institute of Mental Health

Identification of the core features, subtypes and biomarkers of the mood disorder spectrum may
provide information regarding heterogeneity, targets of prevention and etiologic underpinnings. The
goals of this presentation are: (1) to describe evidence from epidemiology on the manifestations of
bipolar disorder across the life span; (2) to describe the familial aggregation of the core features,
comorbid conditions and selected biologic markers in a community based family study of mood
spectrum disorders; and (3) to summarize findings from mobile technologies in mood disorders and their
implications for intervention and prevention.