Emergent treatments based on the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder: A selective review.

Roscoe O Brady, Matcheri Keshavan

Journal: Asian journal of psychiatry 2016;18():15-21

PMID: 26525885

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Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric disorder that is a cause of significant symptomatology even in the setting of optimal treatment. Most current treatments are developed from serendipity, and not based on known pathophysiology. In this review we examine a number of somatic and pharmacologic therapies that are poised to become part of the armamentarium of interventions to treat bipolar illness. As a group, these interventions are derived from a growing understanding of the biological underpinnings of bipolar disorders. We will look at emergent treatments based on our understanding of the molecular biology, neuroanatomy, and the genetics of bipolar disorder.

Address: Department of Psychiatry, Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Psychiatry, Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2015.07.017