Page 7 - JCBP-3-4

Journal of Clinical and

Basic Psychosomatics

REVIEW ARTICLE
Advances in functional magnetic resonance

imaging research on bipolar disorder and
self-stigma

Longyuan Zhang 1 , Chengji Wang 2 , Xiaoxiao Tang 2 , Yingshuai Li 2 , and
Shaohong Zou *
2
1 Graduate School of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang,
China
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China

Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, recurrent, and severe mental illness. Individuals
with BD often internalize prejudices and stereotypes directed toward them, leading
to the development of self-stigma (SS). SS can further exacerbate impairments in
cognitive and social functioning and contribute to decreased treatment adherence
and poor prognosis. Functional magnetic resonance imaging provides a powerful
tool for investigating the neuropathophysiological mechanisms underlying BD
and SS, facilitating the early identification of SS in BD patients. A review of studies
*Corresponding author: examining functional connectivity and neurometabolism across various brain
Shaohong Zou regions in BD and SS patients suggests that both conditions can alter the functional
(zoushaohong@126.com)
connectivity of brain regions involved in emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal
Citation: Zhang L, Wang C, Tang X, cortex (PFC) and amygdala. In addition, BD patients show reduced N-acetylaspartate
Li Y, Zou S. Advances in functional
magnetic resonance imaging levels in the PFC and anterior cingulate cortex. However, current research has yet
research on bipolar disorder to yield conclusive findings regarding the neurometabolites associated with SS. This
and self-stigma. J Clin Basic paper proposes potential research directions for investigating SS in BD patients and
Psychosom. 2025;3(4):1-11.
doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8413 lays the groundwork for the early detection of SS, ultimately contributing to a deeper
clinical understanding of SS in this patient population.
Received: January 5, 2025
1st revised: February 10, 2025
Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Self-stigma; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Blood
2nd revised: February 22, 2025 oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic resonance
Accepted: March 25, 2025 spectroscopy
Published online: April 14, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article 1. Introduction
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, recurrent, and severe mental illness characterized by
License, permitting distribution,
1,2
and reproduction in any medium, both manic or hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Epidemiological surveys
provided the original work is indicate that the global prevalence of BD is approximately 2.4%. Patients with BD face
2
properly cited. a higher suicide risk, with a lifetime suicide risk as high as 50%. This may be related
Publisher’s Note: AccScience to factors such as an early age of onset, a family history of suicide among first-degree
Publishing remains neutral with relatives, a history of suicide attempts, a history of childhood abuse, and whether they
regard to jurisdictional claims in 3-5
published maps and institutional received formal treatment in the early stage. BD ranks as the fourth leading cause of
affiliations. disability among adolescents aged 15 – 19 years. The World Health Organization reports

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8413