6th Edition of Neurology World Conference 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Emotional dysregulation following a concussion is well-established in the literature. The new onset of major psychiatric diseases such as bipolar disorder (BPD) post-concussion has not been investigated. BPD typically presents with an initial depressive episode followed by mania and concurrent depressive and manic states. Multiple theories explaining the etiology of BPD exist, including the diathesis-stress model (DiSM), though an accepted theory is not established.
Case Presentation: A 50-year-old ambidextrous male with comorbid ADHD inattentive type, OCD, and a family history of BPD suffered a motor vehicle collision (MVC) resulting in a grade II concussion. Brain MRI 2 months post-MVC showed negative susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), increased fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal in the frontal and parietal lobes, and abnormal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with cerebral fractional anisotropy score in trauma (C-FAST) the score of 4. New onset BPD was diagnosed, leading to unemployment and homelessness, followed by a cascade of medical crises, including ascending aortic aneurysm rupture and stroke. MRI 6 months later revealed an increased FLAIR signal in the right frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes with frontal encephalomalacia. Scattered SWI blooming clustering in areas of increased FLAIR signal. Postconcussion syndrome symptoms and BPD persisted unchanged indefinitely, responding to Zyprexa and Trileptal pharmacotherapy.
Conclusion: This case study may serve as a real-world example of the DiSM in the etiology of BPD post-concussion and its application in clinical medicine.