Magnetic resonance imaging studies found that schizophrenia is associated with significantly smaller amygdala volume compared to both healthy controls and participants with bipolar disorder.[11] Although there was no significant difference in amygdala volume between individuals with bipolar disorder and controls, amygdala size in the group with bipolar disorder was positively correlated with treatment using mood stabilizer medications[11] This is important to consider as mood stabilizers like lithium appear to have protective and growth-stimulating effects in multiple regions of the brain, including the amygdala.[12] Thus, it is possible that the size differences of the amygdala are due to medication rather than disease.[citation needed] Even so, the amygdala might still be a place of partially shared pathophysiology between these disorders.[13][non-primary source needed]