A Congressional investigation led by Sen. Charles Grassley revealed in June that a world-renowned Harvard University child psychiatrist and two of his colleagues failed to declare millions of dollars in consulting fees from drug manufacturers to university officials.

Dr. Joseph Biederman, known as one of the most prominent advocates of diagnosing bipolar disorder in children, was accused of failing to disclose more than $1 million in payments from drug companies. Harvard Medical School is investigating the case.

An e-mail from an employee of Johnson & Johnson revealed that Dr. Biederman’s intention was to create a joint center for bipolar disorders in children. The hospital said in a statement that its grant specified the purpose of the center was scientific and educational, not to promote J&J’s products.

A spokesman for Boston-based Harvard Medical School said Harvard isn’t involved with the center at Massachusetts General.

The allegations “have raised significant questions and concerns about the implementation of those agreements,” a statement from Massachusetts General Hospital reads. “The grant agreements stated that the center was for scientific and educational purposes only and not for purposes of promoting, directly or indirectly, the products of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates,” the statement said.

According to newly disclosed court documents submitted to the FDA panel last week, the Johnson & Johnson drug Risperdal, also known as risperidone, is increasingly being prescribed to children for unapproved uses. A government study published online by the American Journal of Psychiatry found no major differences between older and newer antipshychotics in treatment outcomes, but found significant differences in side effects among youths taking the drugs. The study has found that children who took newer antipsychotics, such as Zyprexa from Eli Lilly and Risperdal from Janssen experienced weight gain and increases in total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, insulin and liver enzymes. Other side effects may include muscular tics and increased risk of diabetes. The newer-generation drugs were developed to avoid the side effects of older drugs, which can produce Parkinson-like symptoms, such as involuntary movements, rigidity and even permanent physical disabilities.

Thousands of parents have sued Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson, claiming that their children were injured after taking the medicines. Lawyers for the families argued that they should be allowed to interview Dr. Biederman because his work has contributed to the widespread acceptance of pediatric use of antipsychotic medicines.

The psychological condition known as bipolar disorder, formerly known as Manic-Depressive Illness, is characterized by episodes of significant disturbance in mood and the individuals affected experience manic and depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder also carries a high risk of suicide. Experts say that in the long term, those affected by the condition may experience depressive symptoms three times longer than manic symptoms. People diagnosed with bipolar disorder receive medication such as mood stabilizers, anti-psychotic and antidepressants.