Schematic diagram of apoptotic pathway in brain of bipolar disorder patients. Various stimuli can initiate apoptosis cascade, including diseases. Once triggered, pro-apoptotic factor BAD is dissociated from the complex with 14-3-3ζ, and replace anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2, leading to release cytochrome C from mitochondria, which in turn activates Capases-9 and Caspase-3. Apoptotic change may result in loss of synaptic integrity with decreased expression of synaptic markers, Synaptophysin and Drebrin.