Bipolar disorders are highly prevalent, and associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet they remain poorly understood. Genetic, psychological, social and treatment-related factors interact to produce one of the ten most disabling individual illnesses.
Overall, bipolar disorder is one of the most important causes of disability at ages 15-44 . The annual cost to UK society attributable to bipolar disorder was estimated to be £200 million pounds sterling at 1999/2000 prices (estimated 297 000 people with the disorder). One third of the total cost is attributable to hospital care.
We aim to develop a multidisciplinary group of psychiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists, including academics and NHS clinicians with expertise in clinical, psychological, genetic and pharmacotherapeutic aspects of bipolar disorders in order to expand existing research networks, co-ordinate current research and further develop a programme of research into diagnosis, disease progression and optimal treatment of different phases.
Importance of the topic
Bipolar disorders account for around 25% of new-onset psychoses and clearly differ in profile of symptoms and outcomes from other psychoses. Comorbidities are common, with overlap with personality disorders, substance misuse, and eating disorders. Current best-practice treatment guidelines lack specific information about the most appropriate use of available treatments in different phases of the illness and in the presence of co morbidity.
Although individual episodes of depression and mania are relatively easy to recognise and treat, the treatment effects on the overall course are not well understood. For example, pharmacological treatments for depression may increase the frequency of episodes and cycling.
Service user and carer input: National and international bodies, such as the Bipolar Organization (MDF) and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders will be approached to suggest suitable representatives to attend meetings. Liaison with local user and carer networks already exists by virtue of current involvement in existing projects. These contacts will be used to ensure full involvement of service users and their carers in the development of research proposals.
Membership
Prof Steve Bazire, University of East Anglia
Pharmacotherapies, NICE guidelines
Prof Nick Craddock, Cardiff
Genetic epidemiology
Prof Nicol Ferrier, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Pharmacotherapies, treatment resistance, NICE guidelines
Prof David Fowler, University of East Anglia
Psychotherapies, multicentre trials, early onset
Prof John Geddes, University of Oxford
Pharmacotherapies, multicentre trials, multicentre neuroimaging, evidence synthesis
Prof Guy Goodwin, University of Oxford
Pharmacotherapies, neuropsychology, experimental medicine, clinical practice guidelines
Dr Iain Macmillan, University of East Anglia
Early onset, multicentre trials, outcomes
Dr Thomas Meyer, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Psychotherapies. Assessment & screening, S3 guidelines (Germany)
Dr Andrew McIntosh, University of Edinburgh
Neuroimaging
Prof Jan Scott, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Psychotherapies, multicentre trials
Dr Mary-Jane Tacchi, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Pharmacotherapies, concordance
MHRN, part of the UK Clinical Research Network, managed by a partnership between:
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