Comments on: Researching Drug Interventions in Bipolar Offspring: Current Ongoing Research

By: TRASTORNO BIPOLAR » Home test for (Trastorno bipolar) schizophrenia opens the door on genetic testing

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 14:14:23 +0000

[…] Researching Drug Interventions in Bipolar Offspring: Current GNIF Brain Blogger, CA – Jul 23, 2006 at the Stanford University Medical Center, Packard Research findings reported additional research on drug therapy for juveniles predisposed to bipolar disorder […]

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By: Kiki Chang

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 21:10:40 +0000

To answer your questions, there was some weight gain associated with this trial (mean increase of 8.2 lbs), which was over 3 months. This study was funded by Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Depakote (divalproex). Clearly, further, placebo-controlled research of such interventions in these high risk children are necessary. Unfortunately, our attempts to obtain funding for the larger, placebo-controlled study that would follow the subjects for longer (thus examining prevention of full mania, versus acute improvement) have so far been unsuccessful.

Lamotrigine may also have neuroprotective potential and we are interested in studying it in this manner. We have finished an open study in adolescents with bipolar depression (Chang et al., 2006) and have a few articles in review regarding the effects of lamotrigine on brain chemistry and function in this population. Note that these subjects were not all bipolar offspring, but a few were. Also, all subjects had bipolar I, II, or NOS.

And in the interest of further disclosure, I consult to Abbott and GSK and have received research funding from these companies. (GSK makes Lamictal (lamotrigine)). I also consult to AstraZeneca, Shire, and Lilly.

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By: Panic and Anxiety Disorders » Blog Archive » Researching Drug Interventions in Bipolar Offspring: Current …

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 03:26:38 +0000

[…] Researching Drug Interventions in Bipolar Offspring: Current …GNIF Brain Blogger, CA – Jul 23, 2006… even more mood and behavior problems, if prescribed and administered standard medications for other mood and behavior disorders, such as ADHD and anxiety drugs … […]

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By: parityfanatic

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 13:35:25 +0000

I find this comment interesting regarding the use of Depakote in Bipolar offspring. I would be curious to know if any significant weight gain was observed in the participants & whether any financial grants were provided by the Depakote manufacturer?
I would also question whether Lamictal has been considered for research in these offspring.
I am aware that it has been noted that some rapid-cycling Bipolars do extremely well on Lamictal.
I also am aware that this drug needs to be boosted slowly & has a significant side effect profile. However, for the most difficult case, it should not be ignored.

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