Cure Research for Bipolar disorder
Curable Types of Bipolar disorder
Possibly curable or rare types of Bipolar disorder include:
Rare Types of Bipolar disorder:
Some rare types of Bipolar disorder include:
Treatments for Bipolar disorder
Treatments to consider for Bipolar disorder may include:
Medical Research Breakthroughs and Bipolar disorder
Uses of omega-3 fatty acid in bipolar disorder: Omega-3 fatty acid supplements could
relieve depression symptoms, but according to the new research there is still
not enough evidence to say whether omega-3s are useful treatments for people
with bipolar disorder. It has been widely used for heart disease and some
immune disorders. Bipolar disorder is a form related to Manic Depressive
illness where the patient patients can cycle between periods of mania —
elevated mood and energy — and depression.
Patients in the study had less severe depression
symptoms while taking the supplements, but omega-3s did not affect their mania symptoms.
Different versions of the fatty acids are in vegetable oils such as flax seed
oil and in fish oils. It is thought to play a role in the structure and
function of the brain. .The study recommends that patients with
psychiatric disorders not take omega-3 supplements in lieu of established
psychiatric treatment options.
Cure Research discussion for Bipolar disorder:
Going to Extremes Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)
NIMH has initiated a large-scale study at 20 sites across the U.S. to
determine the most effective treatment strategies for people with bipolar
disorder. This study, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for
Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD), will follow patients and document their
treatment outcome for 5 to 8 years. For more information, visit the Clinical Trials
page of the NIMH Web site. (Source: excerpt from Going to Extremes Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)
Going to Extremes Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)
More than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one
close relative with the disorder or with unipolar major depression,
indicating that the disease has a heritable component. 9
Studies seeking to identify the genetic basis
of bipolar disorder indicate that susceptibility stems from multiple
genes. Scientists are continuing their search for these genes using
advanced genetic analytic methods and large samples of families affected
by the illness. The researchers are hopeful that identification of
susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder, and the brain proteins they
code for, will make it possible to develop better treatments and
preventive interventions targeted at the underlying illness process.
Researchers are using advanced imaging techniques to examine brain
function and structure in people with bipolar disorder. 10 ,11
An important area of imaging research focuses on identifying and
characterizing networks of interconnected nerve cells in the brain,
interactions among which form the basis for normal and abnormal behaviors.
Researchers hypothesize that abnormalities in the structure and/or
function of certain brain circuits could underlie bipolar and other mood
disorders. Better understanding of the neural circuits involved in
regulating mood states will influence the development of new and better
treatments, and will ultimately aid in diagnosis.
(Source: excerpt from Going to Extremes Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder: NIMH (Excerpt)
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are being studied to determine
their usefulness, alone and when added to conventional medications, for
long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.23
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
For patients who either do not respond to lithium or cannot tolerate
its side effects, which can include weight gain, tremor, and excessive
urination, there are several anticonvulsant medications that may serve as
alternative mood stabilizers. Valproate and carbamazepine have been used
for the past two decades for treatment of acute mania and prevention of
cycling. However, valproate is the only anticonvulsant approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with bipolar disorder -
specifically, for the acute treatment of mania. NIMH researchers are
currently investigating the efficacy of newer anticonvulsant drugs,
including lamotrigine and gabapentin, as mood stabilizers for treatment
refractory bipolar disorder. (13)
Topiramate is also receiving attention in clinical studies.
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
NIMH researchers are conducting studies to evaluate the benefits of
specific types of adjunctive psychotherapy in the long-term management of
bipolar disorder. These psychotherapies include Psychoeducation (PE),
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Focused Therapy (FFT), and
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT). PE involves teaching
patients with bipolar disorder about their illness and its treatment.
Emphasis is placed on recognizing early signs of relapse so that patients
can seek medical care before a full-blown illness episode develops. CBT
helps patients modify detrimental or inappropriate thought patterns and
behaviors associated with bipolar disorder. FFT employs strategies to
reduce the level of distress within the family that may either contribute
to or result from the ill person's symptoms. IPSRT uses techniques aimed
at regularizing daily routines and improving interpersonal relationships.
Research indicates that regular daily routines and sleep schedules may
protect against manic episodes. (19)
A large-scale NIMH study (called STEP-BD, described below) will
compare the effectiveness of intensive CBT, FFT, and IPSRT, each in
combination with medication, for treatment of acute depressive episodes
and for prevention of recurrent episodes in people with bipolar disorder.
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH (Excerpt)
Based on the clinical observation that episodes are often precipitated
by disruptions of sleep or other daily routines, a group of NIMH-funded
researchers developed interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) to
help stabilize the course of bipolar disorder. IPSRT teaches patients
techniques to regularize their daily routines and improve their
interpersonal relationships. In preliminary studies, IPSRT, in combination
with ongoing medication maintenance, reduced depressive symptoms and
improved the quality of remission from active bipolar disorder. (21)
Patients who received IPSRT as a preventive intervention spent more
time in a balanced state and less time in a subclinical depressive
condition.
(Source: excerpt from Bipolar Disorder Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH)
Medical research for Bipolar disorder: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to medical research for Bipolar disorder:
Bipolar disorder Treatment: Book Excerpts
Clinical Trials for Bipolar disorder
Some of the clinical trials for Bipolar disorder include:
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Bipolar disorder
Medical research papers related to Bipolar disorder include:
Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database
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