title: AACAP 2006 Research Forum--Advancing research in early-onset bipolar disorder: barriers and suggestions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 2006 Research Forum addressed the goal of formulating a research agenda for early-onset bipolar disorder (EOBP) and improving outcome by understanding the risk and protective factors that contribute to its severity and chronicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five work groups outlined barriers and research gaps in EOBP genetics, neuroimaging, prodromes, psychosocial factors, and pharmacotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was agreement that the lack of consensus on the definition and diagnosis of EOBP is the primary barrier to advancing research in BP in children and adolescents. Related issues included: the difficulties in managing co-morbidity both statistically and clinically; acquiring adequate sample sizes to study the genetics, biology, and treatment; understanding the EOBP's developmental aspects; and identifying environmental mediators and moderators of risk and protection. Similarly, both psychosocial and medication treatment strategies for children with BP are hamstrung by diagnostic issues. To advance the research in EOBP, both training and funding mechanisms need to be developed with these issues in mind.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EOBP constitutes a significant public health concern. Barriers are significant but identifiable and thus are not insurmountable. To advance the understanding of EOBP, the field must be committed to resolving diagnostic and assessment issues. Once achieved, with adequate personnel and funding resources, research into the field of EOBP will doubtless be advanced at a rapid pace.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Gabrielle A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Findling
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Birmaher
authors.forename: Hilary P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Blumberg
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Correll
authors.forename: Melissa P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: DelBello
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fristad
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hammen
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hinshaw
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kowatch
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leibenluft
authors.forename: Stephanie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Mani N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Pavuluri
authors.forename: Karen Dineen
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D017668:Age of Onset; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design / Q000639:trends*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors