title: Psychopharmacology of pediatric bipolar disorders in children and adolescents.
abstract: Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is a chronic and disabling illness often leading to serious disruption in the lives of children and adolescents with this condition. Until recently, methodologically stringent data to guide pharmacologic interventions in the youth were scarce. However, clinical trials conducted recently have expanded the existing evidence base, and new data are emerging rapidly. Recent studies have examined the use of lithium, anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics for acute and long-term treatment of PBD. Despite these new advances, further placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic treatment strategies for young people with bipolar disorder are still needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106-5080, USA. Tiffany.Thomas2@UHhospitals.org
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Libbie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stansifer
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Findling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011600:Psychopharmacology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds