The best of news and research articles from publications nationwide, as selected by the The Balanced Mind Foundation, updated weekly.

A research study with the aim of assessing  the efficacy and safety of subcallosal cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation in patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression with either major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar II disorder (BP).

Education, Medication, and More

Bipolar Biobank Helps Identify At-Risk Patients for Early Intervention

Source: Mayo Clinic

Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be challenging, and many times, clinicians are struggling with what is the best treatment option. Researchers hope that the Mayo Clinic's Biobank for Bipolar Disorder will one day provide genetic clues to facilitate the diagnosis of patients, and guide treatment selection.
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Psychiatric News: Data suggest that there may be differences in amygdala activity during face-emotion labeling tests between children with severe mood dysregulation and those with bipolar or other mood or conduct disorders.

An article from the Psychiatric Times. "How often do the known do the risks of antipsychotics outweigh uncertain clinical benefits? Before jumping to conclusions, it is important to consider what we know and what we do not know about antipsychotic prescribing to young people."

This paper is Melissa DelBello's contribution to The Balanced Mind Foundation's series, Translation of the Scientific Evolution of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder.  The series presents the leading researchers' contribution to the field.  It describes the programmatic approach and direction of the labs, the seminal questions which drive their research, a listing of their most important findings and a summary of how their work impacts the field.  The Balanced Mind Foundation is very grateful to Dr. DelBello for sharing her vision with our readers.

If teens who are at risk for developing psychosis can be identified and treated before the onset of a full-blown illness, they have a chance to bypass years of disability. Understanding how genetic defects can lead to the symptoms of psychotic disorders may someday allow doctors to give at-risk teens an even better chance at ongoing health than they have today.