Researchers have proposed that distinct patterns of functional activity in the amygdala could serve as a biological marker, or biomarker, to help clinicians distinguish between major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

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Human studies indicate a significant link between the amygdala and psychological conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders. Evidence shows that adolescents who are either diagnosed with or at high risk for these disorders often exhibit alterations in both the structure and function of their amygdala.

Amygdala's Role in Human Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Amygdala Function as a Biomarker for Differentiating Mood Disorders

A clinical research study observes a group of adolescents who are at high risk for developing mood disorders. Functional brain imaging reveals that when these adolescents are shown emotionally charged images, a specific almond-shaped structure in their brains shows significantly higher levels of activity compared to a control group of their peers. Based on this information, what is the most likely interpretation of these findings?

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