title: STEP-BD and bipolar depression: what have we learned?
abstract: This article summarizes recent findings from the STEP-BD project pertaining to bipolar depression treatment. Highlighted are four papers that report, in turn, a large, randomized controlled trial of adjunctive antidepressants; a large, randomized controlled trial of adjunctive psychosocial therapies (cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal social rhythms therapy, and family-focused therapy); a small, randomized controlled trial contrasting lamotrigine, risperidone, and inositol as add-on therapies for refractory bipolar depression; and a naturalistic study of the risks of relapse during preventive therapy. The STEP-BD results highlight the challenge of treating bipolar depression to remission, illustrate the value of adjunctive psychotherapies, and point to new directions for research.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3535 Market Street, Suite 670, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. thase@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Thase
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010507:Periodicity; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents