CIRCUIT-BD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Circadian Influence on Reward Circuits in Bipolar Disorder
IRAS ID
350542
Contact name
Liam Mason
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2025/01/23 health research, UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study aims to investigate the difficulties in powering down goal-directed behaviour in the evening in people with bipolar disorder (BD) and explore how these might be related to circadian system disturbances commonly seen in BD. The circadian system controls our sleep-wake cycles and daily rhythms. Research shows that people with BD often have trouble powering down at night and show heightened responses to rewards and excessive pursuit of goals. This increased sensitivity predicts the start and course of manic episodes, becoming more intense as symptoms increase. Our study will test out a new theory that integrates these two components —circadian disturbances and goal-directed behaviours —, in order to better understand the mechanisms behind BD and develop new treatments.
To study this, participants will have brain scans (fMRI) while playing reward-related games. This will help us see how their brains respond to rewards and whether difficulties in powering down at night can be seen in brain activity. In addition, participants will use a smartphone app to track their mood and play decision-making games that measure how they respond to rewards and pursue goals. These games are based on well-known psychology tasks and are designed to be simple and engaging. The smartphone app has been previously used in a study looking at reward processing in BD and has received positive feedback by participants. Participants will complete the activities over two weeks, including in the evenings, to explore these patterns. A wearable device will also monitor activity levels and sleep during the study.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0090
Date of REC Opinion
14 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion