Today I quote the fabulous Bipolar Network News, 6th issue, 2014. The Bipolar Network News keeps track of the latest research on bipolar disorder and its treatment and summarizes it for you. How awesome is that?! I highly recommend visiting their website and signing up for their newsletter. Thank you, Bipolar Network News!
In this issue
- Positive Traits in Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar in Children and Teens
- Antidepressant Treatments
- Animal Studies
- Marijuana Findings
- Other Research
Welcome to the sixth issue of Bipolar Network News for 2014. Click on the links below to read more research on each topic! You may also access PDFs of our complete print archives here.
You can also sign up for more information on our new Child Network, a research network to collect information on how children with mood disorders or at risk for them are being treated in the community, and how well it is working. The network will be up and running in a few weeks.
POSITIVE TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER
New research from studies of twins indicates that positive traits like verbal ability and sociability are common in families with bipolar disorder.
We also review the the FDA-approved treatments for bipolar depression and discuss cariprazine, a new atypical antipsychotic.
BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CHILDREN AND TEENS
In a new study lamotrigine was more effective than placebo at extending the time until a next mood episode in 13- to 17-year-olds.In siblings, bipolar disorder is 25 times more likely to occur when the father is older (over age 45) than younger.
Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder are at high risk for mood disorders. When parents are ill (as opposed to recovered), onset is likely to occur earlier.
It appears that some vitamin and mineral preparations may be helpful for children with bipolar disorder, who are likely to have low levels of vitamin D.
Lithium was superior to placebo in reducing the severity of mania in a study of children and teens. Lithium also increased white matter volume.
We provide tips for differentiating between ADHD and bipolar disorder in adolescents and children.
DEPRESSION AND ANTIDEPRESSANT TREATMENTS
The antidepressant vortioxetine appears to improve cognition in depressed patients.
An extract of the spice saffron may be able to treat mild depression.
A recent study finds no substantial risk of infant cardiac problems resulting from antidepressant use during pregnancy.
We review a variety of treatments with rapid-onset antidepressant effects, including intravenous ketamine and scopolamine, one night of sleep deprivation, and inhaled isoflurane.
After some failures in using deep brain stimulation to treat depression, a change in the positioning of electrodes led to better results.
FINDINGS FROM ANIMAL STUDIES
In a rodent model of depression, antidepressants fluoxetine and desipramine and the drug ketamine made animals more resilient. Antidepressants and ketamine were also able to reverse learned helplessness.
A fascinating new technology called CLARITY makes it possible to view mammalian brain structure and connectivity by replacing lipids in an animal’s brain with a hydrogel substance, rendering the brain transparent.
MARIJUANA AND METH FINDINGS
Halting marijuana use might improve memory in adolescents.
We describe how the chemicals in marijuana work in the brain.
Methamphetamine kills dopamine neurons in the midbrain of mice.
INFLAMMATION AND OTHER RESEARCH
The inflammatory marker NF-kB is elevated in adolescent bipolar disorder.
The ratio of cortisol to c-reactive protein has different effects in women and men.
Flavanols, found in cocoa and tea, may improve age-related memory loss.
Statins may prevent cardiovascular risk in patients with bipolar disorder.
We compare the effect sizes of various autism treatments.
Contact the Bipolar Network News
Bipolar Collaborative Network
5415 W. Cedar Lane
Suite 201B
Bethesda, MD 20814
bipolarnews.org
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