The Blue Harbor Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to funding neuroscience research that will improve the lives of all people who suffer from mood disorders. The Foundation focuses on identifying and funding clinical research studies with the potential to increase scientific knowledge and public awareness of mood disorders that include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. By focusing on the imaging and study of the brain and central nervous system, we ultimately hope to advance the diagnosis and treatment of these and other disorders.
Mood Disorders can be severe and potentially lethal psychiatric conditions. They affect an estimated seven to ten percent of all Americans in any given year and rank among the top ten causes of worldwide disability. People who suffer from mood disorders have extreme instability in their moods. They may become severely depressed, angry and irrational, or extremely elated with grandiose schemes. Additionally, mood disorders often impair people’s ability to experience healthy social relationships-- or even to function. These symptoms often result in damaged relationships (with peers, family members, and authority figures), poor job or school performance, and dangerous behavior that may include suicide.
Future Generations Remain At-Risk
We have just begun to realize that young children can also suffer from severe mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. Initially, serious mood disorders in children are often misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder. Mood disorders also may occur as comorbid conditions with Asperger Syndrome and autism. Neroscience research has the potential to advance the diagnosis and treatment of all of these debilitating conditions.
Current treatment options remain far from satisfactory. Changing this reality throughout all phases of childhood and adulthood is the ultimate purpose of our endeavor. By funding research that entails the acquisition and analysis of brain images, we hope to maximize the impact of every dollar donated.
Due to recent advances in neuroimaging technology, the opportunity to make significant advances has never been greater. Nor has the support of private foundations ever been more critical. Government funding is diminishing and private sector health plans are reducing the research funds available to private institutions.
The Blue Harbor Foundation was established to address this need.