E19 - Gray Matter Shenanigans: What Really Happens in a Bipolar Brain 🧠

In this episode of The Y in Psychiatry, Dr. Amayo, Dr. V (Handratta), and Dr. Nguyen go full-neuroscience mode to unpack the neurochemistry and brain circuitry behind bipolar disorder — from dopamine/serotonin tug-of-wars to the roles of the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and motor pathways in mania vs depression. Expect plenty of brain maps, metaphorical circuit diagrams, and maybe a few “mind-blown” moments. Perfect listening for psych residents, med students, or anyone curious what’s really going on when moods don’t just swing… they revolutionize.

https://www.nguyenindoubt.com/theyinpsych
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Chapters

• 0:59 Why we’re talking neurobiology of bipolar — the plan for today
• 3:00 The classic “monoamine hypothesis” — dopamine, serotonin, and mood swings
• 5:31 From neurochemistry to movement: basal ganglia, thalamus & sensorimotor cortex → psychomotor agitation vs retardation
• 8:00 Prefrontal cortex breakdown: ventral-lateral & ventral-medial roles, impulse control, emotional regulation
• 11:01 Limbic up-regulation: Amygdala activation and the emotional “engine” of mania
• 13:02 Why you can’t change one part of the brain without affecting the whole network — brain is not modular
• 15:01 Goal-directed energy & the superior frontal gyrus: why mania feels like a turbo-boost