BIPOLAR DISORDER

This study follows 80 youth aged 9-19 with bipolar disorder to understand what affects their symptoms over a year. Participants receive medication management and talk therapy, and complete interviews and questionnaires. The goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment for young peo…

This study tests whether valbenazine can reduce involuntary muscle movements in people with tardive dyskinesia who still have symptoms despite prior treatment. About 50 adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression will take valbenazine for 24 weeks. The goal i…

This study looks at whether adding five extra services—like peer support, digital outreach, and family therapy—to standard coordinated specialty care helps people with early psychosis stay in treatment longer. About 350 participants will either receive standard care or the enhanc…

This study is testing a personalized approach to therapy for young people (ages 13–23) who have bipolar disorder or a strong family history of it. Instead of a one-size-fits-all treatment, the program offers different levels of support—from low to high intensity—based on each per…

This study tests a program called Taking Action, where trained peers lead five sessions to help college students with serious mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. About 300 students will be randomly assigned to the program or to receive informatio…

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 disorder will receive either brenipatide or a placebo by injection for at least 6 months. The main goal…

This study looks at whether extra therapy sessions (called boosters) help young people aged 14 to 26 who have or are at risk for bipolar disorder. Participants have already completed one year of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in a previous study. The goal is to see how often …

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 adults aged 18-45 who take antipsychotic medication and have a high body mass index will be enrol…

This study tests whether a type of talk therapy called Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), delivered via video calls, can prevent or delay bipolar disorder in teens (ages 12-18) who have a parent with bipolar disorder and are at high risk themselves. 120 participants…

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. About 30 adults will receive one of the two treatments. Th…

This study tests an experimental drug called azetukalner to see if it can safely reduce depression in people with bipolar I or II disorder. About 400 adults currently in a depressive episode will receive either the drug or a placebo for 6 weeks. The main goal is to measure change…

This study tests whether 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 leads to remission with fewer side effects on…

This study tests whether bezafibrate, a drug used for high cholesterol, can safely improve depression in people with bipolar disorder. About 30 adults with bipolar depression will take bezafibrate alongside their usual mood-stabilizing medication for 8 weeks. Researchers will mon…

This study tests if a type of brain stimulation called theta-burst stimulation can reduce depression symptoms in people with bipolar disorder that hasn't improved with other treatments. About 124 adults will receive either real or fake (sham) stimulation daily for 30 days. Resear…

This study is testing whether light therapy and a short education program can help people with bipolar disorder who have trouble sleeping or have irregular daily rhythms. The goal is to see if these approaches can reduce the number of days spent in the hospital. The study will in…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve cognitive problems and mood in people with schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, or Parkinson's disease. Researchers will give TMS to the …

This study tests whether a low-dose melatonin supplement, combined with a behavioral sleep program, can shift the body's internal clock earlier and improve mood and sleep in people with bipolar disorder. About 50 participants with bipolar disorder and a delayed sleep phase will r…

This study tests whether adding the drug KarXT to standard mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, or lamotrigine) can better 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 ma…

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 two weeks, then fol…

This study looks at how a ketogenic diet changes brain activity, metabolism, and mood in adults with bipolar disorder. Researchers will use brain scans and blood tests to measure these effects. The goal is to understand if this diet can help manage symptoms. 107 people aged 18-40…

This study is testing whether dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help young people aged 13 to 23 who have bipolar disorder or have a close family member with it. Over one year, participants will attend group skills training and individual therapy sessions to learn mindfulness…

This study tests a 12-session group program called "Better Together" for 20 single adults with severe mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression). The program teaches communication, emotional regulation, and healthy relationship skills. Researchers …

This study looks at whether brief high-intensity exercise is better than standard high-intensity training for people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Researchers will track how many participants stick with the program for 26 weeks and measure changes in symptoms like psych…

This study tests whether cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) 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 …

This study tests whether a personalized, less time-consuming mobile cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program works as well as a standard one for easing anxiety and depression. About 100 young adults aged 18-25 with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder will use the Maya app …

This study tests a special high-CBD product to see if it helps reduce anxiety and depression in people with bipolar disorder. About 25 adults with stable bipolar disorder and moderate anxiety will take CBD for 4 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in anxiety and mood using st…

This study tests a therapy called Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT) for veterans with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. TCT uses brain exercises to improve how the brain processes information, with the goal of boosting thinking skills and dai…

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 will follow 3000 people with bipolar disorder who are taking olanzapine. Researchers want to see what other medications patients use and whether teaching patients about weight gain can help prevent it. This is an observational study, meaning no new treatment is given—j…

This study is testing a new social skills training program designed to help veterans with serious mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD) improve their work relationships and job success. About 20 veterans will take part in weekly group sessions and practic…

This study looks at why young adults with bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop alcohol use disorders. Researchers will track 100 people aged 21-26 (half with bipolar disorder, half without) for two years, using brain scans and alcohol response tests. The goal is to fi…

This study looks at how different energy sources (glucose and ketones) affect brain activity and behavior in people with bipolar disorder. Participants will have MRI scans while playing money-winning games before and after drinking glucose or ketones. Researchers will compare res…

This study looks at how the brain processes visual information in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will use EEG to measure brain activity while participants view images. The goal is to find early markers of psychosis that could…

This study aims to describe the full range of bipolar disorder by observing 3,000 patients in Norwegian psychiatric clinics. Researchers will track symptoms, functioning, and medication use through interviews. The goal is to better understand the condition and improve future care…

This study tests whether smartphone location data can predict upcoming bipolar episodes in 200 veterans. Participants use an app that tracks GPS patterns to detect early signs of mania or depression days in advance. The goal is to create an early warning system that helps veteran…

This study explores how people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder experience the passage of time differently than healthy individuals. Using virtual reality games and brain wave (EEG) monitoring, researchers will measure how patients react to waiting and distractions. The goa…

This study tests whether a mild electrical current applied to the scalp (tDCS) can improve executive functions like memory, attention, and decision-making. Researchers will enroll 600 adults with conditions such as traumatic brain injury, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophren…

This study uses powerful 7T MRI brain scans and visual perception tests to find biological markers for severe mental disorders like major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Researchers will compare 320 patients and healthy volunteers aged 18-45 to improve diagnosis …

This study uses a safe, noninvasive light-based device (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in 200 adults with depression, bipolar disorder, or mild cognitive impairment. By comparing brain patterns across groups, researchers hope to better understand how these conditions affect the…

This study watches how physical activity, sleep, and light exposure relate to mood in people with bipolar disorder, major depression, or migraines, as well as healthy volunteers. Over two years, participants wear activity trackers and light sensors, answer daily mood questions on…

This study follows 1,000 adults with hard-to-treat depression or OCD who are getting advanced treatments like ECT, TMS, or ketamine. Researchers collect brain scans, voice recordings, and other tests before, during, and after treatment. The goal is to find biological markers that…

This study screens up to 16,000 people aged 3 to 99 with mood or anxiety disorders, as well as healthy volunteers, to see if they can join other research studies at the National Institute of Mental Health. Participants undergo interviews, medical tests, and brain scans to collect…