Genetics of COVID-19 risks & resilience in Bipolar Disorder

What impact does a Covid-19 infection or the COVID-19 pandemic have on people with bipolar affective disorder? The psychiatrist and molecular biologist Susanne Bengesser from MedUni Graz (co-applicants: Nina Dalkner and Eva Reininghaus) and her team are investigating the effects of polygenic risk factors on stress and depression in the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinical research project tracks neuro-bio-psychological and genetic causes of reactive psychiatric symptoms, tries to identify genetic risks for a COVID-19 infection, as well as resilience factors against Covid-19 and analyzes the protective effect of lithium, which is anti- oxidative and potentially anti-inflammatory applies. In order to record individual, reactive psychological changes and to clarify which genes could be causally linked to them, the clinical appearance of 400 test persons with bipolar disorder and controls is comprehensively described (deep phenotyping & genotyping). The individual psychological stress levels during the pandemic are then recorded using standardized psychological tests and physiological measurements. The aim is to find genetic and psychological predictors for symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify prevention mechanisms in order to improve the well-being of people in a crisis.