A psychological approach to understanding and treating bipolar disorder: investigating new cognitive mechanisms. (360G-Wellcome-088217_Z_09_Z)

£587,035

Given the need to improve our understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder, this research investigates cognitive and emotional processes underlying mood instability. My previous research demonstrated that imagery has a powerful impact on emotion. I have developed a theory of mental imagery s amplification of emotion within bipolar disorder, proposing that this drives mood instability. The research will test hypotheses from this theory (and existing pilot-work), investigating whether biase s in mental imagery form part of the disorder s psychopathology. Treatment of imagery-related abnormalities will be explored. The research goals are to determine whether imagery-related abnormalities: (A) Occur in bipolar disorder and are specific to it; (B) Predict mood fluctuation; (C) Have causal significance; (D) Respond to cognitive behavioural treatment procedures? Each goal is the subject of a specific project. Project A compares imagery biases between clinical and non-clinic al groups. Project B prospectively studies patients with bipolar disorder using SMS (mobile phone) technology to track process changes over time. Project C experimentally manipulates imagery (in analogue samples) to determine whether hypothesised mechanisms have a causal role. Treatment development with patients in Project D will be informed by the experimental work. Project D includes a preliminary uncontrolled evaluation of the new cognitive behavioural treatment.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 587035
Applicant Surname Holmes
Approval Committee Clinical Interview Committee
Award Date 2009-06-17T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2008/09
Grant Programme: Title Intermediate Clinical Fellowship
Internal ID 088217/Z/09/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Emily Holmes
Partnership Value 587035
Planned Dates: End Date 2012-08-31T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2010-10-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region South East
Sponsor(s) Prof Christopher G Fairburn