Prevention of Bipolar Disorder: Are We Almost There?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewA considerable portion of bipolar patients do not respond well to available therapeutic strategies. Therefore, early identification of BD and its possible prevention are of high interest. We performed a critical review of the literature, focusing on the evidence with putative implications for the prevention of BD.Recent FindingsSeveral psychopathological findings among individuals at high genetic risk for BD may correspond to a prodromal stage of BD. Neuroimaging alterations and other biological findings among those at high risk for BD have also been identified. However, the ability of these strategies to predict future progression to BD is limited. Similarly, available evidence does not support the preventive treatment of individuals at high risk for BD.SummaryCurrent research findings do not support the implementation of therapeutic interventions aiming at the prevention of BD. The therapeutic approach for symptomatic non-bipolar individuals at high genetic risk for BD is of high interest from a clinical and research standpoint.

Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - March 6, 2020 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research