Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Drugs under early investigation for the treatment of bipolar disorder
George Konstantakopoulos1, Stefanos Dimitrakopoulos, Panayiota G Michalopoulou
1University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, First Department of Psychiatry , 72-74 Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11528, Athens , Greece +0030 210 7289137 ; +0030 210 7242020 ; gekonst@otenet.gr ; george.konstantakopoulos@kcl.ac.uk.
Introduction:
Despite the availability of several treatment options for bipolar disorder (BD), patients suffer from chronic, subsyndromal symptoms, quite frequent polarity shifts, cognitive impairment and poor community function. Overall, the current treatment outcomes for BD highlight the need to develop targeted, more effective and safe treatments.
Areas Covered:
This review focuses on compounds currently under investigation for BD, covering compounds tested through animal studies to those in Phase II clinical trials over the past 5 years. These drugs concern all phases of BD treatment, that is, mania, depression, maintenance, and cognitive dysfunction.
Expert Opinion:
Limitations exist in applying valid preclinical bipolar models and study designs. Research emphasis is given mainly on bipolar depression, with few compounds showing some evidence of efficacy. Non-effectiveness in current studies of mania and maintenance treatment reflects the need for novel compounds. Glycogen synthase kinase 3, casein kinase 1, inositol monophosphatase inhibition, histone deacetylase inhibition pathways are known targets that should proceed from preclinical to the clinical trial level.
More Related Videos
08:33Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
Published on: December 4, 2014
05:19Author Spotlight: Therapeutic Benefit of Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation in Depression Treatment
Published on: July 7, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Bipolar Disorder
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview