Bipolar Disorder: Novel Clinical Trials II

This is the second post reviewing recent novel trials for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Again, for my sources I am using are clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed.

Clicking on the study title will take you to the clinicaltrials.gov site for more detailed protocol information.

Allopurinol Maintenance Study for Bipolar Disorder

This completed study examined the effect of 300 to 600 mg per day of allopurinol on mania prevention. Allopurinol is a drug used primarily for the treatment of gout or kidney stones. The drug lowers serum levels of uric acid. Uric acid in elevated in mania and potentially has a contribution role in mania. A small international randomized placebo-controlled study of allopurinol found significant improvements in acute mania. 

Quetiapine Alone Versus Quetiapine Plus Lithium for Mania

Physicians have a variety of drug choices in the treatment of the manic phase of bipolar disorder. In this study, manic subjects were randomized to 600 to 800 mg of quetiapine with or without lithium dosed from 500 mg to 2000 mg per day. The study was conducted in China and the results showed that quetiapine alone was as effective as quetiapine plus lithium in reducing symptoms of mania.

Internet-Based Interventions for Bipolar Disorder

This study is currently recruiting subjects between the ages of 21 to 65 years of age with a diagnosis of bipolar I, II or NOS. Subjects are randomized to one of three arms including: 1.) moderated discussion board, 2.) moderated discussion board plus psychoeducation or 3.) moderated discussion board, psychoeducation and interactive psychosocial tools. The study is sponsored by the VA Palo Alto System and primary outcome measures include assessment of depression and mania symptoms.

Bipolar Depression Treatment with Deep Brain Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

This study is currently recruiting subjects in Brazil and is sponsored by the University of Sao Paulo. The study uses a type of coil that is felt to be able to reach deeper areas of the brain felt to be important in mood regulation. Subjects must meet depression criteria at entry and the primary outcome measure is the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

Citations below are provided for more information on the treatments in the above studies. Readers can access abstracts by clicking on the link in the citation.

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Jahangard, L., Soroush, S., Haghighi, M., Ghaleiha, A., Bajoghli, H., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Brand, S. (2013). In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, adjuvant allopurinol improved symptoms of mania in in-patients suffering from bipolar disorder Pharmacopsychiatry, 46 (06) DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1353345

Lauder S, Chester A, Castle D, Dodd S, Gliddon E, Berk L, Chamberlain J, Klein B, Gilbert M, Austin DW, & Berk M (2015). A randomized head to head trial of MoodSwings.net.au: an Internet based self-help program for bipolar disorder. Journal of affective disorders, 171, 13-21 PMID: 25282145

Rapinesi C, Bersani FS, Kotzalidis GD, Imperatori C, Del Casale A, Di Pietro S, Ferri VR, Serata D, Raccah RN, Zangen A, Angeletti G, & Girardi P (2015). Maintenance Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sessions are Associated with Reduced Depressive Relapses in Patients with Unipolar or Bipolar Depression. Frontiers in neurology, 6 PMID: 25709596