BIPOLAR DISORDER

This study tests whether adding KarXT to standard mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, or lamotrigine) helps control manic episodes in people with bipolar I disorder. About 424 adults hospitalized for mania will receive either KarXT or a placebo for 5 weeks. The main goal is to …

This study tests whether adding the drug brenipatide to standard treatment can delay the return of bipolar symptoms compared to a placebo. About 400 adults with bipolar I or II will self-inject the study drug or placebo for at least 6 months. The main goal is to see how long it t…

This study tests whether valbenazine can reduce involuntary muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia) in adults who still have symptoms while taking or after stopping another similar drug. About 50 people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression will take valbenazine…

This early study tests if deep brain stimulation (DBS) is safe and effective for people with severe depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. Twenty adults will have a device implanted in their brain and be monitored for five years. The device will be turned on and o…

This study tests whether using a person's genetic information to guide medication choices leads to better recovery for people with mood, anxiety, or psychotic disorders. Over 2,500 participants will receive either standard care or personalized medication advice based on their gen…

This study tests whether adding five extra services—like peer support, digital outreach, and group therapy—to standard care helps people with early psychosis stay in treatment longer. About 350 participants will either receive standard care or the enhanced program. Researchers wi…

This study tests whether giving e-cigarettes to smokers with mental illness—along with optional behavioral coaching—helps them switch from regular cigarettes and lower their exposure to harmful chemicals. The trial enrolls 250 daily smokers who have tried to quit before but aren'…

This study tests a special clinic designed to help people with severe mental illness (like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) lose weight and improve their metabolic health. About 84 participants will either receive care at this clinic or standard care for 12 months. The main goa…

This study tests a program called Taking Action, where trained peers help college students with serious mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia learn to manage their condition. About 300 students will be randomly assigned to either the program or just…

This study looks at whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called iTBS can help prevent depression from returning. 60 adults who already improved with iTBS will receive maintenance sessions, either once a day for a week or all in one day. The goal is to see which sche…

This study looks at whether extra 'booster' sessions of a therapy called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help youth aged 14 to 26 who have bipolar disorder or a family history of it. Participants have already completed one year of DBT in a previous study. The goal is to se…

This study is testing a personalized, three-level approach to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for young people aged 13 to 23 who have bipolar disorder or are at high risk due to family history. The goal is to see if matching the intensity of therapy to each person's needs can …

This study compares a new, lower-energy seizure therapy (LAP-ST) to standard electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for quickly reducing suicidal thoughts in people with depression, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. The goal is to see if the gentler approach works just as w…

This Phase 3 trial tests whether a daily pill called azetukalner can safely reduce depression in people with bipolar I or II disorder. About 400 adults currently in a depressive episode will take either the drug or a placebo for 6 weeks. Researchers will measure mood changes usin…

This study compares a standard mobile cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program to a personalized version that teaches skills faster. About 100 adults aged 18-25 with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder will use the Maya app for 20 minutes, twice a week, for six weeks. The …

This study tests whether a low-dose melatonin pill (0.5 mg) combined with a behavioral sleep program can shift the body's internal clock earlier and improve mood in people with bipolar disorder who are night owls. Fifty participants will either get melatonin plus sleep therapy or…

This study compares the safety and effectiveness of using a mild electrical brain stimulation device (tDCS) at home versus at a clinic for treating major depression. About 198 adults with moderate to severe depression will use the device daily for a few weeks. Researchers will me…

This phase 2 trial is testing a custom, THC-free CBD product to see if it can reduce anxiety and depression in people with bipolar disorder. Twenty-five adults with bipolar I or II who have at least moderate anxiety will take the CBD daily for 4 weeks. Researchers will measure ch…

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the cerebellum can improve cognitive deficits and mood in people with schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, or Parkinson's…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) can reduce depression symptoms in people with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder. About 124 participants will receive either real or sham (fake) stimulation da…

This study tests whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help veterans with serious mental illness (like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) who also have chronic low back pain. Researchers will measure changes in pain interference, quality of life, and pain severity after …

This study tests a therapy called Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT) for veterans with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. The goal is to improve thinking skills and daily functioning by using EEG brain scans to identify who will benefit most. A…

This study looks at whether eating only during certain hours of the day (time-restricted eating) can help people with bipolar disorder feel better. About 150 adults who are already on medication for bipolar disorder will track their eating, sleep, and mood for 2 weeks, then follo…

This study tests whether light therapy and a short sleep education program can improve sleep and daily rhythms in people with bipolar disorder. Researchers will track how many days participants spend in the hospital. The goal is to find a simple, nurse-led way to help manage slee…

This study tests a 12-session group program called 'Better Together' for young adults with severe mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression) who are single and want to improve their romantic relationships. The program teaches communication, emotion…

This study tests whether brief high-intensity exercise is better than standard high-intensity training for people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Fifty participants will follow one of the two programs for 26 weeks. The main goal is to see which program people stick with l…

This study tests whether listening to music before and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can reduce postictal agitation—a common side effect where patients become restless or confused after treatment. Researchers will enroll 92 adults with severe depression undergoing ECT. Ha…

This study tests if magnetic seizure therapy (MST) works as well as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for people with bipolar depression or treatment-resistant depression. About 60 adults will receive either MST or ECT to see which better reduces depression symptoms with fewer side…

This study is testing whether dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help youth aged 13 to 23 who have bipolar disorder or are at high risk for it. Over one year, participants will attend skills training and individual therapy sessions to learn mindfulness, emotion regulation, an…

This study is testing a new social skills training program for Veterans with serious mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD) who are looking for work. The program teaches skills to better understand social cues and handle workplace relationships. Researcher…

This study tests whether bezafibrate, a drug currently used for high cholesterol, can safely improve depression in people with bipolar disorder. Thirty adults with bipolar I or II who are already on a mood-stabilizing medication will take bezafibrate for 8 weeks. Researchers will…

This study examines whether a person's personality traits before they got sick are linked to the thinking and behavior problems seen in certain brain disorders. Researchers will ask caregivers about the patient's personality from the 10 years before the illness started. The goal …

This study at the National Institute of Mental Health screens up to 16,000 people with mood or anxiety disorders, as well as healthy volunteers, to see if they can join other research studies. Participants undergo evaluations like psychiatric interviews, brain scans, and lab test…

This observational study follows 74 pregnant individuals with severe mental illness to see how taking antipsychotics (versus other medications or no medication) affects psychiatric stability and infant development. Participants complete psychiatric interviews, donate blood, and h…

This study looks at how physical activity, sleep, and light exposure relate to mood in people with bipolar disorder, major depression, or no mood disorder. Over two years, participants wear activity monitors and complete smartphone diaries for up to 20 days at a time. The goal is…

This study tests whether a 3-day training program called REFOCUS helps mental health teams provide care that supports personal recovery. About 760 people with severe mental disorders (like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) will take part across 18 centers. Researchers will measu…

This study tests a program to help doctors in psychiatric clinics prescribe medications for alcohol use disorder to patients who also have serious mental illness. The program uses an external facilitator to work with clinic staff and overcome barriers to prescribing. The goal is …

This study is collecting blood samples and questionnaires from 1,100 people with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Researchers are looking for links between genetics, inflammation, and a dormant virus called HERV-W. The goal is to find new biomarkers and pave the way for future …

This study at Yale University is testing whether blocking a specific brain receptor (AMPA) stops ketamine from reducing suicidal thoughts. Thirty adults with depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD who have current suicidal thoughts will receive either perampanel (an AMPA blocker) …

This Mayo Clinic study uses a safe, noninvasive light-based device called fNIRS to measure brain activity in 200 adults with major depression, bipolar disorder, or mild cognitive impairment. By comparing brain blood flow patterns across these groups, researchers hope to better un…

This study uses powerful 7T MRI scanners and visual perception tests to find biological markers for severe mental disorders like major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Researchers will compare brain chemistry and vision in 320 patients and healthy volunteers. The …

This study tests whether smartphone location data can give early warning of mood episodes (mania or depression) and drops in social activity for 200 veterans with bipolar disorder. Participants use an app that tracks their phone's GPS, and researchers will build computer algorith…

This study looks at how two types of energy—glucose and ketones—change brain activity and behavior in people with bipolar disorder. Participants will have MRI scans while playing money-winning games, before and after drinking either glucose or ketones. Researchers will compare re…

This study uses virtual reality games and EEG brain scans to understand how people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder experience the passage of time. Researchers will compare 120 participants (patients and healthy volunteers) as they perform tasks in virtual environments. The…

This study is a registry that will follow up to 1,000 adults with treatment-resistant depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or ketamine/esketamine. Researchers will collect data from…

This study follows 80 youth aged 9 to 19 with bipolar disorder across four U.S. sites. Researchers will track mood symptoms, inflammation, and family conflict over 12 months to find what predicts better or worse outcomes. The goal is to create standardized tools and best-practice…

This study looks at 55 women who have a chronic (long-term) infection with the Toxoplasma parasite and also have a mental health condition like schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder. Researchers want to see if tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood can help tell th…

This study looks at why young adults with bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop alcohol use disorders. Researchers will give participants alcohol or a placebo and use brain scans to track changes over two years. The goal is to find early warning signs that could lead t…

This study looks at why people with bipolar disorder may think about or attempt suicide, focusing on life experiences and biology. Researchers will test a 6-week group program to help reduce these behaviors and improve quality of life. About 130 English-speaking adults with bipol…

This study aims to describe the full range of bipolar disorder by including 3000 patients from psychiatric clinics across Norway, both with and without other health issues. Researchers will track symptoms, functioning, and medication use through interviews. The goal is to better …

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying how a ketogenic diet—a high-fat, low-carb eating plan—affects brain activity, metabolism, and mood in adults with bipolar disorder. The study will compare people with bipolar disorder who follow either a ketogenic or non-ke…

This study watches 3,000 people with bipolar disorder who are taking olanzapine. Researchers want to see how the drug is used and if teaching patients about weight gain can help prevent it. No new treatment is given; it only collects information from regular care.

This study follows 1000 adults who previously took part in mood disorder research at NIH. Participants complete online surveys and optional phone interviews about their current symptoms, treatments, and well-being. The goal is to learn how depression, bipolar disorder, and suicid…

This study looks at how the brain processes visual information in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will use a non-invasive EEG cap to measure brain waves while participants view simple visual patterns. The goal is to find early…

This study uses eye-tracking technology to measure how people with bipolar disorder pay attention, respond to rewards, and control their thoughts. Researchers will compare different groups, including those with anxiety or substance use issues. The goal is to better understand the…

This study follows 700 people with chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease for 4 years. Participants wear a small movement sensor for 5 days, three times a year, to track their physical activity and sedentary time. Researchers want to see if a person's unique …

This study is testing whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can improve executive functions—like working memory, attention, and decision-making—in people with conditions such as traumatic brain injury, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, bo…