FEATURED STUDIES
Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD).
Treatment study; outpatient. A long-term study of current treatments for bipolar disorder, including medications and psychosocial therapies. Ages 15 and up. Locations across the U.S.
Mifepristone and Bipolar Depression.
Treatment study, inpatient. This 4-week study tests the efficacy of the medication mifepristone (Mifeprex®), compared to placebo, in the depression phase of bipolar I or II disorder. Ages 18-75. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Bipolar Depression and Riluzole.
Treatment study; inpatient or outpatient. This 8-week study examines the efficacy and safety of the medication riluzole (Rilutek®) for bipolar depression in patients without psychotic features. Ages 18-70. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Treatment of Early Age Mania.
Treatment study; outpatient. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the medications lithium (Eskalith®), valproate (Depakote®), and risperidone (Risperdal®) in treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder or symptoms of mania. Ages 6-14. Locations across the U.S.
Relapse Prevention for Bipolar Type II Disorder.
Treatment study; outpatient. This 62-week study will compare the safety and effectiveness of fluoxetine (Prozac®), lithium, the combination of these two medications, and placebo in treating and preventing recurrent depressive episodes in people with bipolar type II disorder. Ages 18 and older. Philadelphia, PA.
Treatment and Prevention of Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder Symptoms.
Treatment study; outpatient. This study will compare divalproex (Depakote®) plus olanzapine (Zyprexa®) to lithium plus olanzapine to determine the effectiveness in treating adolescents with bipolar disorder. Ages 12-18. Glen Oaks, NY.
Family Intervention for Mental Illness and Substance Abuse.
Treatment study; outpatient. This study will evaluate a family intervention program for individuals with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder and co-occurring substance use disorders. Ages 18-65. Chelsea, MA and Santa Fe Springs, CA.
ECT Plus Medication for Treatment of a Depressive Episode.
Treatment study; outpatient. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) administered with medication for the treatment of a major depressive episode (unipolar or bipolar) and will compare two types of ECT. Ages 18 and older. Locations across the U.S.
Felbamate and Bipolar Depression.
Treatment study, inpatient. This 9-week study will test the efficacy of the medication felbamate (Felbatol®) compared to placebo in the depression phase of bipolar I or II disorder. Ages 18 and older, with a history of nonresponse or poor tolerance to standard treatments. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Clozapine and Bipolar I Mania.
Treatment study; inpatient. This 4-week study examines the efficacy of the antipsychotic medication clozapine (Clozaril®), compared to placebo, for mania that has not responded to other treatment. Ages 18-60. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Bipolar Depression and Brain Imaging.
Evaluation study; inpatient and outpatient. This study assesses the function of brain chemicals and hormones in mood disorders (major depression and bipolar depression) using different scanning techniques. Ages 18-60. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Pramipexole and Bipolar II Depression.
Treatment study; inpatient. This 6-week study will examine the effectiveness of pramipexole (Mirapex®) in the depression phase of bipolar II disorder. This is an inpatient study of medication or placebo that will be added on to current treatment of lithium or valproate. Ages 18-70. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Tamoxifen and Bipolar I Mania.
Treatment study; inpatient. This 4-week study will test the efficacy of the medication tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), compared to placebo, for patients in the manic phase of bipolar I disorder. Men, ages 18-60. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Genetics & Bipolar Disorder.
Evaluation study, Outpatient. This study looks to identify genes that may affect a person’s chances of developing bipolar disorder and related conditions. Ages 18 and up. NIH clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Childhood Bipolar Disorder.
Evaluation study; inpatient and outpatient. This study evaluates the development and course of childhood bipolar disorder. This is a 4-year study with intensive involvement over the first 6 weeks and follow up visits about every 6 months. One 3-day inpatient stay. Ages 6-17. NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Additional NIH Studies
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ClinicalTrials.gov for more NIH/NIMH studies on Bipolar Disorder
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BIPOLAR DISORDER, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a serious but treatable disease of the brain. Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Different subtypes of bipolar disorder, namely bipolar I, bipolar II, and rapid-cycling, are diagnosed according to the frequency and severity of these episodes.
Although many people with bipolar disorder can be helped by currently available treatments, including medications and psychosocial therapies, significant challenges remain. NIMH is dedicated to improving treatments for bipolar disorder and is investing considerable research effort in pursuit of this goal.
More information on Bipolar Disorder
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