Methods for diagnosing bipolar disorder

A method for diagnosing bipolar disorder in a patient, said method comprising:

• determining the level of at least one Reelin moiety in a biological sample from said patient, wherein said at least one Reelin moiety is chosen from a first Reelin moiety having an apparent molecular weight of about 410 kDa, a second Reelin moiety having an apparent molecular weight of about 180 kDa, and/or a third Reelin moiety having an apparent molecular weight of about 330 kDa, wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of whole blood, plasma, and serum;
• comparing said at least one Reelin level in said patient with the level of a corresponding Reelin moiety in one or more control subjects;
• and
• diagnosing said bipolar disorder in said patient if:
• (a) when the levels of said first and said second Reelin moieties are determined, the level of said first Reelin moiety is not different from, or is decreased relative to, control subjects, and the level of said second Reelin moiety is decreased relative to said control subjects;
• (b) when the levels of said third and said second Reelin moieties are determined, the level of said third Reelin moiety is decreased relative to control subjects, and the level of said second Reelin moiety is decreased relative to said control subjects;
• and/or
• (c) when the levels of said first and said third Reelin moieties are determined, the level of said first Reelin moiety is not different from, or is decreased relative to, control subjects, and the level of said third Reelin moiety is decreased relative to said control subjects.