Active clinical trials for "Bipolar Disorder"

This study will examine whether mitochondrial function is impaired in patients with bipolar disorder. Mitrochondria are small organelles inside the cell that are responsible for energy production. Recent studies in animals and humans suggest that abnormalities of mitrochondria may be involved in bipolar depression. The study will also examine whether the food supplement Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improves mitochondrial function and symptoms such as depressed mood, low energy, anxiety or slowness in thinking and movements in bipolar patients. CoQ10 has been used to increase cell energy production and as an antioxidant. It has had some benefit in patients with Parkinson's disease and migraine and in prolonging survival in patients with cancer and heart failure. Patients 18-65 years of age with bipolar disorder who are currently in a depressive episode of at least 4 weeks duration may be eligible for this study. The study has four phases, as follows: Phase I: Medication Withdrawal Patients taper off all psychotropic medications, usually over 1 to 2 weeks. Phase II: Baseline Evaluation After being off all medication for about 2 weeks, patients undergo the following procedures: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The two procedures are performed in an MRI scanner. Both tests use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images that provide information on brain anatomy and chemistry. Blood tests to assess mitochondrial function isolated from blood cells. Skin biopsy for tests of mitochondria. A small sample of skin tissue 5 x 5 millimeters is surgically removed. Phase III: Administration of CoQ10 or Placebo Participants are randomly assigned to take either CoQ10 or placebo (an inactive look-alike substance) twice a day by mouth. While taking the study medication, patients have the following procedures periodically: Rating scales for anxiety and depression and adverse events. Check of vital signs. Blood and urine sample collections. Phase IV: Study Completion At the end of the 8 weeks of treatment, patients have a physical examination and electrocardiogram, and the procedures in phase II are repeated. Participants may then receive short-term treatment (up to 12 weeks) with medications for bipolar depression, followed by referred to a community physician for long-term treatment. ...

The investigators will assess Li-induced gray matter volume changes with regard to the endophenotype of GSK3beta polymorphism. The changes of gray matter are supposed to be more attributable to neurotrophic and neuroprotective characteristics of Li, which were closely related to the inhibition of apoptotic activity of GSK3beta.

This study aims to gather additional information to support the theory that bipolar disorder is due to cellular (mitochondrial) dysfunction. To test this theory adults with bipolar disorder who are not currently symptomatic will receive a one-time brain scan (magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS] scan) with light stimulation. To test whether any MRS findings are specific to bipolar disorder, healthy controls and adults with schizophrenia will also be included in this study.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by alternance of depressive and manic phases, separated by intercritical phases (euthymia). The majority of patients report occupation and professional difficulties. Sixty percent of bipolar patients are inactive . Indeed, according to the World Health Organisation, bipolar disorder is the second cause of days not worked. Several factors are related to the lower professional functioning observed in bipolar patients: early age of onset, delay of diagnosis and treatment, recurrence of thymic episodes, residual symptoms and cognitive disorders during euthymia, side effects of mood stabilizers. To our knowledge, no study has ever focused on well-being at work in French patients. However, suffering from a psychiatric disorder and the lack of support from colleagues and the hierarchy are risk factors for burnout, a growing health issue. Patients with mental illness are often victims of stigmatization, which may involve the professional field. In addition, thymic recurrences may alter professional functioning of active patients: multiplication of work disruptions, conflicts with peers. Conversely work can be stressful, promoting thyic relapses. It is therefore essential to better understand the occupational stresses of active patients suffering from bipolar disorder in order to promote functional remission beyond clinical remission. The aim of this study is to assess the level of stress and well-being at work in active French bipolar patients.

An acute psychotic episode is a severe psychiatric syndrome which might occur in different psychiatric diagnoses. The outcome prediction of relapse rate of a psychotic episode within a certain time frame is difficult and depends on many factors. More and better predictors are required to improve the outcome prediction in order to adjust therapy and follow-up if patients suffer from this acute disease. Copeptin, a surrogate marker for vasopressin, has been proven helpful in the prediction of the outcome in serious somatic diseases. Additionally, a rise of copeptin due to psychological stress was shown. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of the neuroendocrine biomarker copeptin and the prediction of the onset of psychotic episode within one year.

This post-marketing surveillance study is designed to collect and assess information on safety and effectiveness of lamotrigine tablets in patients with bipolar disorder in routine clinical practice. ("LAMICTAL" is a trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.)

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are not indicated for use in pregnancy. However, women with epilepsy, and other approved indications including bipolar disorder, may require or be unintentionally exposed to AEDs during pregnancy. Prior to an AED being marketed there are few data available on drug safety in pregnancy: data from animal models may not translate directly to humans and pregnant women are routinely excluded from clinical trials. The International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry was established by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 1992 to monitor the safety of lamotrigine during pregnancy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and short-term efficacy of MBCT as an add-on (i.e. patients must be stable with their regular mood stabilizing medication) for the maintenance therapy of bipolar disorder.

This is a regulatory-required non-interventional pharmacovigilance study exploring the safety profile of ziprasidone HCL monohydrate 20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg in the real world patient population, thus, safety (and/or efficacy) signals will be checked at every visit during the contracted study period until the maximum study end date, per the protocol, of April 2010.

The purpose of this study is to detect genetic associations for the development of schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar illness (BP) by comparing Veterans with these diseases to "psychiatrically healthy" Veterans from Veterans Health Administration medical centers. In addition, the genetic basis for functional capacity and disability in Veterans affected with SZ and BP will be assessed, as will genetic predictors of suicidality and tardive dyskinesia. Finally, we will also establish a repository which allows for future genomic studies related to SZ, BP, and related disorders or sequelae.