Clinical Trials

Bipolar CHOICE

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of lithium versus quetiapine as a component of treatment as usual in a group of patients with bipolar disorder. In this study, patients will receive either lithium in addition to their usual medications or quetiapine in addition to their usual medications. The study involves an extensive screening visit, followed by nine visits that will span 6 months. More information can be found here.

PGBD: Pharmacogenomics of Mood Stabilizer Response in Bipolar Disorder

Purpose: To identify genes associated with good response to two commonly used mood stabilizing agents, lithium and valproate, in patients with bipolar disorder. 

Study Description: We are looking to find genes associated with good response in patients with bipolar disorder to two mood stabilizers, lithium and valproate. The study has three phases. In the first phase, subjects are stabilized on lithium alone over a 4 month period. If stabilization does not occur, then subjects are placed on valproate.  In the next phase, they are observed for one month after stabilization on lithium (or valproate) alone to ensure that they remain stable. In the final phase, subjects are observed for 2 years and monitored for relapse. Genetic material (DNA) is collected via a blood draw. The purpose of collecting a sample of genetic material is to study potential genetic causes of treatment response to mood stabilizing agents.

More information can be found here.