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Bipolar Disorder

Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is an illness that causes changes in an individual's mood, energy and functional ability. People with bipolar disorder can experience extreme mood shifts: from feeling "high" or irritable (mania) to intense sadness or hopelessness (depression). Each mood swing can last from just a few hours to many months. Some people with bipolar disorder report periods of "normalcy" in between mood swings, others do not. These mood swings can affect relationships, work or school performance, and even lead to suicide. Bipolar disorder is treatable and bipolar individuals can lead normal lives.

Bipolar Disorder may include periods of:

• Increased energy or irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking fast, going from one subject to another
• Spending sprees
• Distractabilty and inability to concentrate
• Engaging in risky sexual activity
• Decreased need for sleep
• Grandiosity (feelings that one is more famous, powerful or intelligent than one really is)

Cedars-Sinai's Psychiatry Research program is currently conducting clinical trials dealing with bipolar disorder and its symptoms. Qualified clinical trial participants will receive study medication, physical exams and laboratory tests at no cost.

Our Bipolar Disorder Research Studies:

Allopurinol and Refractory Mania: A study to looking at the efficay of Allopurinol vs. placebo (an inactive substance) as a supplement to lithium, valproic acid (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), or atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of mania or mixed mania in bipolar patients. All subjects must be taking one of these medications for bipolar disorder with little to no response. Allopurinol is an FDA-approved medication for gout. Participation includes a screening visit and then 5 visits over 7 weeks. Participants are compensated up to $300 for their time.

Memantine and Cognitive Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder: A study to measure the efficacy of Memantine vs. placebo (an inactive substance) in improving memory function in people with bipolar disorder with minimal bipolar symptoms. Memantine is an FDA-approved medication for Alzheimer¿s disease. Participation involves 5 visits over 12 weeks and particiants may be compensated up to $140 at the end of the study. After completion of the study, participants have the option of continuing with an open-label study (all subjects receive Memantine). This study involves 3 visits over 10 weeks and compensation up to $80.

To find out more about the clinical trials on bipolar disorder or to enroll, please contact us at: