Maintenance treatment of adolescent bipolar disorder: Open study of the effectiveness and tolerability of quetiapine


The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of quetiapine as a maintenance treatment preventing against relapse or recurrence of acute mood episodes in adolescent patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Methods: Consenting patients meeting DSM-IV lifetime criteria for a bipolar disorder and clinically appropriate for maintenance treatment were enrolled in a 48-week open prospective study. After being acutely stabilized (CGI-S [less than or equal to]3 for 4 consecutive weeks), patients were started or continued on quetiapine and other medications were weaned off over an 8-week period.

Quetiapine monotherapy was continued for 40-weeks and other mood stabilizers or antidepressants were added if clinically indicated. A neurocognitive test battery assessing the most reliable findings in adult patients was administered at fixed time points throughout the study to patients and matched controls.



Results: Of the 21 enrolled patients, 18 completed the 48-week study. Thirteen patients were able to be maintained without relapse or recurrence in good quality remission on quetiapine monotherapy, while 5 patients required additional medication to treat impairing residual depressive and/or anxiety symptoms.

According to symptom ratings and global functioning scores, the quality of remission for all patients was very good. Neurocognitive test performance over treatment was equivalent to that of a matched control group of never ill adolescents.

Quetiapine was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse effects.

Conclusions: This study suggests that a proportion of adolescent patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder can be successfully maintained on quetiapine monotherapy.

The good quality of clinical remission and preserved neurocognitive functioning underscores the importance of early diagnosis and effective stabilization.Clinical Trials Registry: D1441L00024

Author: Anne Duffy, Robert Milin and Paul Grof
Credits/Source: BMC Psychiatry 2009, 9:4



Published on: 2009-02-06



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Comments Page 1 of 1
Riski
Posted 81 days ago
Jodiiee -Here are the facts about bipolar derisdor -Bipolar 1 is characterized by more manic episodes such as impulsive spending or sex grandiose ideas (even thinking you are God like) increased energy with dramatically lessened need for sleep irritability /or violence pressured speaking and thoughtsBipolar 2 is characterized by more depressive episodes with less severe mania (also known as hypomania). Sometimes this depression could seem like Major Depressive Disorder.What you are describing sounds like ultra rapid cycling Bipolar derisdor, where you cycle from one mood to another several times per day. I am very familiar with this because my son has ultra rapid cycling Bipllar Disorder. You need to get checked out for this now, especially if you have suicidal thoughts. Don't go to a GP because this is too complicated for a GP to handle. You need to see a psychiatrist.Bipolar Disorder is NOT a derisdor that can be managed by natural herbs or minerals. It can be helped by them, but medication is one of the main ways to get you stable. With meds and some form of regular support (therapy, support groups, counseling), you can learn how to live a healthy and productive life. I also urge you to talk to someone (parents, minster, spouse, or some other adult you trust about your suicidal ideas. They need to be taken very seriously.Get checked out now. Best of luck.Rev Della
 


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