Bipolar_disorder | CARLAT PUBLISHING

Adjunctive psychotherapy helpful in bipolar depression

January 1, 2008

John O’Reardon, MD

The STEP-BD study is an NIMH-funded study of patients with bipolar disorder, which has already yielded a number of intriguing findings, some of which we covered in an earlier issue (TCPR, Aug 2006). This study followed 293 patients with acute depression, most of whom received both mood stabilizers and antidepressants.

Pediatric bipolar vs. severe mood dysregulation: New evidence

September 1, 2007

Ronald Pies, MD

The controversy over pediatric bipolar disorder has heated up over the past year. A recent study offers evidence for those favoring “narrow” criteria for the pediatric bipolar diagnosis.

It’s Official: Topamax doesn’t work for Bipolar Disorder

January 1, 2007

David Fassler, MD

It’s been a bad, bad year for Topamax (topiramate). First, the results of four controlled trials of Topamax as monotherapy for mania showed that it outperforms placebo in only two ways: more paresthesia and more weight loss (Kushner et al, Bipolar Disorders 2006;8:15-27).

Bipolar Disorder in Children: Is the Diagnosis Valid?

August 1, 2006

We’ve all noticed the trend: children are increasingly being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This issue is controversial, because psychiatrists are already accused of overmedicating children.

The STEP-BD Study: An Introduction

August 1, 2006

The STEP-BD study, an NIMH-funded study of bipolar disorder, has enrolled its last patient, and we have already begun to see the first results filtering through to the psychiatric journals.

Bipolar II Disorder: A Useful Concept?

August 1, 2006

How common is bipolar II disorder, and are we frequently missing the diagnosis?

Understanding the STEP-BD Study

August 1, 2006

Gary S. Sachs, MD

Gary S. Sachs, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Director, Bipolar Clinic and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts Dr. Sachs has disclosed that he is the recipient of research grants from Abbott, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Repligen, Pfizer, and Wyeth; is a consultant for Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, Janssen, JDS, Memory, Repligen, Pfizer, Solvay, and Wyeth; and is a member of the speakers bureaus of Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, and Eli Lilly. The editors of The Carlat Psychiatry Report have reviewed the content of Dr. Goddard’s interview and have resolved any financial conflicts of interest regarding this educational activity. The author has disclosed that inositol has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Dr. Sachs, as the principal investigator of the STEP-BD study, can you walk us through how the study was hatched?

Equetro: New Name, Old Drug

June 1, 2005

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Okay, we’ll lay our cards on the table right away. Rarely has TCR been as annoyed by the launch of a new medication as we are by the launch of Equetro. The last time the pharmaceutical industry embarrassed itself this much was when Eli Lilly launched “Sarafem,” calling it a “new” medication for PMDD when it was simply Prozac with a new name and a new (pink) color (see TCR Vol. 2, No. 9).

Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder: The Controversy Continues

June 1, 2005

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

There is a battle underway in the genteel circles of academic psychiatry. The disputed question is: Are antidepressants (ADs) good or bad for patients with bipolar disorder?

Lab Monitoring with Mood Stabilizers: Let’s Get Real

June 1, 2005

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

“Be careful, doctor. Don’t order lab tests that you don’t really need. You’re asking for trouble.” No, that’s not TCR talking. That’s none other than George Lundberg, M.D., former editor of JAMA. He made that statement in an editorial webcast in January 2005 on Medscape, where Dr. Lundberg is Editor-in-Chief.