Emerging Potential Biomarkers To Inform Bipolar Clinical Practice-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The symposium, chaired by Dr. Balwinder Singh, focused on "Emerging Potential Biomarkers to Inform Bipolar Clinical Practice." The first presentation, by Dr. Michael Gitlin, covered lithium's use in bipolar disorder, exploring its clinical indications, concerns about renal effects, and recent genetic marker research. He highlighted lithium's proven effectiveness but noted the nuances in renal impairment and the unclear correlation between dosage frequency and effectiveness.<br /><br />Dr. Singh discussed lamotrigine, emphasizing its FDA-approved role in maintaining bipolar I disorder and its potential use in unipolar depression. He noted the impact of drug interactions on lamotrigine metabolism and the risks of rash and cardiovascular issues, suggesting a slow titration to minimize these.<br /><br />Dr. Sue McElroy reviewed valproate, indicating its utility in acute mania and alcohol comorbidity in bipolar disorder. She highlighted genetic findings that could potentially predict treatment response, though these aren't yet ready for clinical application.<br /><br />Dr. Mark Fry concluded with an exploration of antidepressant use in bipolar disorder, despite the lack of FDA approval for most in bipolar depression. He noted the prevalence of antidepressant prescriptions and the limited but critical role they might play for bipolar II patients. Fry emphasized the ongoing need for biomarker research to better target treatment.<br /><br />Overall, the presentations highlighted both the complexity and the evolving understanding of treating bipolar disorder, underscoring the importance of continued research into biomarkers and personalized medicine approaches.

Keywords

Bipolar Disorder

Biomarkers

Lithium

Renal Effects

Genetic Markers

Lamotrigine

Unipolar Depression

Drug Interactions

Valproate

Acute Mania

Antidepressants

Personalized Medicine

Clinical Practice

Treatment Response