Bipolar Disorders

Leader

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr Lisa Henry

Members

Rothanthi Daglas, Craig Macneil, Melissa Hasty, Ian MacMillan, Philippe Conus, Sean Briggs, Claire Shelton, Diana Maud, Alison and Melanie Evans

Overview

During the past eight years a specific early intervention focus on bipolar disorder has been successfully developed. Collaborative projects and paper production have been conducted with colleagues in Spain (Drs Vieta and Colom), Newcastle (Dr Scott) and Brazil (Drs Kapczinski Maghalaes and Gama). A number of analyses have been conducted validating the staging model in bipolar disorders. These include an analysis of the entire olanzapine clinical database, as well as the STEP BD database, which together demonstrate that clinical staging has a major effect on prognosis and clinical outcome. A paper on the seven-year outcomes of first episode mania is being written using the EPPIC 800 datatset, which will be the longest follow up in the currently available literature. A further highlight is the publication of the first manualised psychotherapy for first episode bipolar disorder, led by Craig McNeil and Melissa Hasty, by Cambridge University Press.

Current Studies

Investigation of the efficacy of the combination of Olanzapine and Lithium versus the combination of Chlorpromazine and Lithium in the management of a first hospitalisation for a manic episode with psychotic features: an eight-week, flexible dose, parallel group, single blind (rater) open trial. P. Conus.

The randomised control trial, comparing Olanzapine and Chlorpromazine augmented by lithium in a first-episode mania cohort is complete. Dr Philippe Conus has led the analysis and paper generation process from this data set and has drafted and submitted several papers to peer reviewed journals.

Neuroprotective Properties of Quetiapine versus Lithium in a First Episode Mania Cohort: 12-month Neuroanatomical, Neurochemical and Neuro-cognitive Effects and Preliminary Data of Prophylactic Properties. M. Berk.

The primary purpose of this single blind controlled randomised parallel group design trial is to investigate if treatment with Lithium or Quetiapine monotherapy is associated with similar levels of neuroanatomical, biochemical and neurocognitive protection at short-term end points. Two Victorian sites are participating in recruiting individuals with first-episode bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. They are: Orygen Youth Health and Southern Health. The trial is due to complete recruitment by mid 2012.