Effects of intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognition and hippocampal volumes in bipolar depression.

Introduction: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used to treat neurocognitive symptoms in mood disorders. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a brief version of TMS that may preferentially target cognitive functions. This study evaluated whether iTBS leads to cognitive improvements and associated increased hippocampal volumes in bipolar depression.

Remission and recurrence in bipolar disorder: The data from health outcomes and patient evaluations in bipolar disorder (HOPE-BD) study.

Background: The HOPE-BD was a naturalistic study established to follow individuals in Canada seeking treatment for bipolar disorder (BD). The study aimed to examine the course of BD and describe how clinical and sociodemographic factors are associated with outcomes.

Methods: Individuals with BD had their clinical data recorded at enrolment and were naturalistically treated.

Lurasidone versus treatment as usual for cognitive impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder: a randomised, open-label, pilot study.

Background: Cognitive impairment is present in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and correlates with impairments in everyday functioning. We aimed to examine the efficacy of lurasidone adjunctive therapy compared with treatment as usual (TAU) in improving cognition.

Methods: For this randomised, open-label, pilot study, we recruited patients aged 19-65 years with euthymic bipolar I disorder from the Mood Disorder Centre in UBC Hospital (Vancouver, Canada).

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of adjunctive calcitonin nasal spray in acute refractory mania.

Objectives: Calcitonin, a neuropeptide, has been shown in preliminary double-blind trials to reduce agitation in patients with acute mania. Given that it has effects similar to those of lithium and anticonvulsants on modulation of second-messenger signaling pathways and stabilization of neuronal membranes, this study examined the efficacy of calcitonin nasal spray in treating acute manic symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant mania using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design.

Methods: A total of 46 hospitalized patients experiencing either a manic or a mixed episode, who were refractory to treatment with adequate doses of either a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic, or a mood stabilizer/antipsychotic combination, and had a score of ≥16 on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), were randomized to receive adjunctive nasal calcitonin 200 IU (n = 24) or saline (n = 22) spray for three weeks.