UK research into mental health conditions has received an unusual boost – in the form of skin cell donations from patients with bipolar disorder.

The donated cells will be used by scientists at Edinburgh University to develop stem and brain cells, in a bid to enable research teams to study how bipolar disorder relates to brain tissue.

Experts believe that such innovative techniques paired with willing donations could lead to a much better understanding of mental health conditions – and possibly even breakthroughs in new treatments to combat bipolar disorder.

The condition, characterised by mania, depression and unpredictable mood swings, is thought to affect millions of people worldwide.

Professor Andrew McIntosh, of Edinburgh University, has also said that improved access to human cells should reduce and, in some cases, replace, the number of animals typically used to study bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.

“Being able to grow brain cells from families with bipolar disorder represents a major addition to our research toolbox,” he said.

“It will provide a platform against which new and more effective therapies can be tried, reducing the need for animal experiments.

“It will also enable us to discover what goes awry in the brains of people with bipolar disorder and a number of other psychiatric disorders,” he added.