Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Aripiprazole augmentation in treatment-resistant bipolar depression: early response and development of akathisia.

Kemp DE, Gilmer WS, Fleck J, Straus JL, Dago PL, Karaffa M

University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, USA. kemp.david@gmail.com

There is growing evidence that atypical antipsychotics may be effective in the treatment of acute bipolar depression. Results from randomized, placebo-controlled trials support the use of quetiapine monotherapy and a combination of olanzapine-fluoxetine in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder, while only limited data exists regarding the use of aripiprazole in this population. To assess the potential effectiveness of aripiprazole in treating acute bipolar depression, a chart review was conducted on 12 patients with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (I, II, and not otherwise specified [NOS]) who received aripiprazole augmentation for the relief of an acute major depressive episode. After 8 weeks of treatment, 4 of 12 (33%) patients demonstrated a response, defined as a 50% reduction in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score. In addition, 5 of 12 (42%) patients newly developed akathisia. This report, though limited by its small sample size and naturalistic design, suggests that the usefulness of aripiprazole in the treatment of bipolar depression may be limited by akathisia.

Published 12 February 2007 in Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, 31(2): 574-7.
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