Early intervention in bipolar disorder, part II: therapeutics.
Recent evidence has shown that early pharmacological and psychosocial treatment dramatically ameliorates poor prognosis and outcome for individuals with psychotic disorders, reducing conversion rates to full-blown illness and decreasing symptom severity. In a companion paper, we discussed methodological issues pertaining to early intervention in bipolar disorder (BPD), reviewed clinical studies that focus on high-risk subjects as well as first-episode patients, and reviewed findings from brain imaging studies in the offspring of individuals with BPD as well as in first-episode patients. In this paper, we discuss how drugs that modulate cellular and neural plasticity cascades are likely to benefit patients in the very early stages of BPD, because they target some of the core pathophysiological mechanisms of this devastating illness. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of agents with neurotrophic and neuroplastic properties are discussed, with a particular emphasis on lithium and valproate. We also discuss their potential use as early intervention strategies for improving symptoms and functioning in patients in the earliest stages of BPD, as well as high-risk individuals.
Salvadore
Giacomo
G
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Drevets
Wayne C
WC
Henter
Ioline D
ID
Zarate
Carlos A
CA
Manji
Husseini K
HK
D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019782:Riluzole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D014227:Triazines; D014635:Valproic Acid; D019782:Riluzole; D000077213:Lamotrigine