Lurasidone as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate for the treatment of bipolar I depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Efficacy and Safety of Adding Lurasidone to Ongoing Therapy With Lithium or Valproate for the Treatment of an Acute Bipolar Depressive Episode: A Post Hoc Analysis of 2 Placebo-Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of lurasidone combined with either lithium or valproate, in the short-term treatment of patients with bipolar depression.

METHODS

Data were pooled from two 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of patients with bipolar depression on stable doses of lithium or valproate randomized to lurasidone (20-120 mg/d) or placebo. Efficacy measures included the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions Bipolar Scale, and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology via self-assessment and were analyzed using a mixed model for repeated measures approach.

RESULTS

Notably larger week 6 effect sizes were observed when lurasidone was added to lithium, compared with when lurasidone was added to valproate, on 2 of the 3 depression outcome measures, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale total score (d = 0.45 vs 0.22) and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology via self-assessment (d = 0.63 vs 0.29); the efficacy advantage was smaller on the Clinical Global Impressions Bipolar Scale depression score (d = 0.34 vs 0.29). Similar adverse event profiles were observed for lurasidone treatment in combination with either lithium or valproate. The most frequently reported events (≥5%) in both groups were nausea, parkinsonism, somnolence, akathisia, and insomnia. Minimal changes in weight, lipids, and measures of glycemic control were observed during treatment with lurasidone combined with either lithium or valproate.

CONCLUSIONS

Lurasidone added to either lithium or valproate was found to be an effective treatment for bipolar depression, with a larger antidepressant effect observed when lurasidone was combined with lithium. There were no clinically meaningful differences in the safety or tolerability of lurasidone when used adjunctively with lithium or valproate.

Efficacy of cariprazine in patients with bipolar depression and higher or lower levels of baseline anxiety: a pooled post hoc analysis

Post hoc analyses evaluated cariprazine, a dopamine D 3 -preferring D 3 /D 2 receptor partial agonist, in patients with bipolar I depression and high baseline anxiety. Data were pooled from two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in adults with bipolar I disorder and a major depressive episode (NCT02670538, NCT02670551). Cariprazine 1.5 and 3 mg/d were evaluated in patient subgroups with higher and lower baseline anxiety. In patients with higher baseline anxiety, significant differences for cariprazine 1.5 mg/d versus placebo were observed on change in Montgomery-Åsberg Rating Scale (MADRS) total score, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) total score and subscale scores, and rates of MADRS remission ( P < 0.05 all); nonsignificant numerical improvements were observed for cariprazine 3 mg/d versus placebo. In patients with lower anxiety, differences versus placebo were significant for HAM-A (cariprazine 3 mg/d) and MADRS (cariprazine 1.5 and 3 mg/d) total score changes ( P < 0.05 all). Rates of treatment-emergent mania were low and similar for cariprazine and placebo. Cariprazine 1.5 mg/d had consistent effects on anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with bipolar I depression and higher baseline anxiety; tolerability was favorable. Given few proven treatments for this common comorbidity, these preliminary results are promising.

Lurasidone and risk of metabolic syndrome: results from short and long-term studies in patients with bipolar depression

OBJECTIVE

The elevated prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with depression has been associated with increased mortality. This post hoc analysis assessed the effect of treatment with lurasidone on risk of MetS in patients with bipolar depression.

METHODS

Data used in the current analyses consisted of 3 double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled, 6-week studies in adults with bipolar I depression (N = 1192), consisting of 1 monotherapy, and 2 adjunctive trials (lithium or valproate). Also analyzed was a 6-month open-label (OL) extension study (monotherapy, N = 316; adjunctive therapy, N = 497); and a 5-month, OL, stabilization phase followed by randomization to a 28-week DB, placebo-controlled, adjunctive therapy study with lurasidone (N = 490). MetS was defined based on NCEP ATP III criteria (2005 revision).

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with new-onset MetS was similar for lurasidone vs placebo in the short-term studies (monotherapy, 13.9% vs 15.3%; adjunctive therapy, 13.6% vs 11.0%); and remained stable during both the 6-month extension phase study (monotherapy, 15.2%; adjunctive therapy, 16.9%), and the 5-month stabilization study (adjunctive therapy, 12.2%). After 28 weeks of DB treatment (following 5-month treatment in the stabilization study), new onset MetS was observed at endpoint (OC) in 26.2% of the lurasidone group, and 30.8% of the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

This post hoc analysis found that both short and long-term treatment with lurasidone was associated with a relatively low risk for the development of MetS in patients with bipolar I disorder. These findings are consistent with similar analyses in patients with schizophrenia.

The impacts of CYP3A4 genetic polymorphism and drug interactions on the metabolism of lurasidone

The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of 24 variants of recombinant human CYP3A4 and drug interactions on the metabolism of lurasidone. In vitro, enzymatic reaction incubation system of CYP3A4 was established to determine the kinetic parameters of lurasidone catalyzed by 24 CYP3A4 variants. Then, we constructed rat liver microsomes (RLM) and human liver microsomes (HLM) incubation system to screen potential anti-tumor drugs that could interact with lurasidone and studied its inhibitory mechanism. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were applied to study the interaction between lurasidone and olmutinib. The concentrations of the analytes were detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). As the results, we found that compared with the wild-type CYP3A4, the relative intrinsic clearances vary from 355.77 % in CYP3A4.15 to 14.11 % in CYP3A4.12. A series of drugs were screened based on the incubation system, and compared to without olmutinib, the amount of ID-14283 (the metabolite of lurasidone) in RLM and HLM were reduced to 7.22 % and 7.59 %, and its IC50 were 18.83 ± 1.06 μM and 16.15 ± 0.81 μM, respectively. At the same time, it exerted inhibitory effects both through a mixed mechanism. When co-administration of lurasidone with olmutinib in rats, the AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-∞) of lurasidone were significantly increased by 73.52 % and 69.68 %, respectively, while CLz/F was observably decreased by 43.83 %. In conclusion, CYP3A4 genetic polymorphism and olmutinib can remarkably affect the metabolism of lurasidone.

Astroglial Connexin 43-Mediated Gap Junctions and Hemichannels: Potential Antidepressant Mechanisms and the Link to Neuroinflammation

Major depression disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with a high suicide rate and a higher disability rate than any other disease. Evidence suggests that the pathological mechanism of MDD is related to astrocyte dysfunction. Depression is mainly associated with the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and the function of Cx43-mediated gap junctions and hemichannels in astrocytes. Moreover, neuroinflammation has been a hotspot in research on the pathology of depression, and Cx43-mediated functions are thought to be involved in neuroinflammation-related depression. However, the specific mechanism of Cx43-mediated functions in neuroinflammation-related depression pathology remains unclear. Therefore, this review summarizes and discusses Cx43 expression, the role of gap junction intercellular communication, and its relationship with neuroinflammation in depression. This review also focuses on the effects of antidepressant drugs (e.g., monoamine antidepressants, psychotropic drugs, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists) on Cx43-mediated function and provides evidence for Cx43 as a novel target for the treatment of MDD. The pathogenesis of MDD is related to astrocyte dysfunction, with reduced Cx43 expression, GJ dysfunction, decreased GJIC and reduced BDNF expression in the depressed brain. The effect of Cx43 on neuroinflammation-related depression involving inflammatory cytokines, glutamate excitotoxicity, and HPA axis dysregulation. Antidepressant drugs targeting Cx43 can effectively relieve depressive symptoms.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar depression in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Bipolar depression constitutes a major public health problem due to its substantial burden of disease. Although pharmacological interventions are available, guidelines required updated evidence synthesis to improve their current recommendations. In order to inform evidence-based prescribing, we investigated the comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar depression.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis. We searched for randomised controlled trials comparing pharmacological interventions with each other or placebo in adults with acute bipolar depression (type I, type II, or not otherwise specified), excluding those with substance misuse, unipolar depression, or schizophrenia, in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, and LILACS from database inception up to April 13, 2023. Criteria for eligibility were a duration of 2-16 weeks with masked outcome assessments, and we included combination, add-on design, and monotherapy studies. The co-primary outcomes were depressive symptoms, examined with standardised mean differences (SMDs), and manic switch, examined with odds ratios (ORs). We also investigated dropouts due to any reason, inefficacy, adverse events, and important side-effects as secondary outcomes. The confidence in the evidence was evaluated using Confidence-In-Network-Meta-Analysis (CINeMA). The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020171726.

RESULTS

We analysed data from 101 randomised controlled trials covering 20 081 participants, 8063 men (41·7%) and 11 263 women (58·3%; sex not available in four studies), mean age 41·0 years (range of means 28·7-53·6 years), and 68 medications and placebo. Ethnicity data were not available. With moderate confidence in the evidence, olanzapine plus fluoxetine, quetiapine, olanzapine, lurasidone, lumateperone, cariprazine, and lamotrigine were more efficacious than placebo in reducing depressive symptoms, with SMDs ranging from 0·41 (95% CI 0·19-0·64) for olanzapine plus fluoxetine to 0·16 (0·03-0·29) for lamotrigine. Several other drugs might also be efficacious, but the confidence in the evidence was very low to low. Antidepressants as a class seem to be efficacious, but had a higher risk for manic switch compared to antipsychotics. Medications differed in their side-effect profiles.

INTERPRETATION

This is, to our knowledge, the largest network meta-analysis of pharmacotherapy for bipolar depression to date. Olanzapine plus fluoxetine, quetiapine, olanzapine, lurasidone, lumateperone, cariprazine, and lamotrigine were found to be more efficacious than placebo in adults with acute bipolar depression, with good confidence in the evidence, and to differ in their side-effect profiles. These findings can inform evidence-based care and the development of treatment guidelines internationally.

FUNDING

None.

Adjunctive lumateperone (ITI-007) in the treatment of bipolar depression: Results from a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT02600507) evaluated the efficacy and safety of lumateperone adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate in patients with bipolar depression.

METHODS

Patients (18-75 years) with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE), with inadequate therapeutic response to lithium or valproate, were randomized 1:1:1 to 6 weeks adjunctive therapy with lumateperone 28 mg (n = 176), lumateperone 42 mg (n = 177), or placebo (n = 176). The primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints were change from baseline to Day 43 in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total score and the Clinical Global Impression Scale-Bipolar Version-Severity Scale (CGI-BP-S) depression subscore. Safety assessments included adverse events, laboratory evaluations, vital signs, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), and suicidality.

RESULTS

Patients treated with adjunctive lumateperone 42 mg showed significantly greater improvement compared with adjunctive placebo in MADRS Total score (LS mean difference vs placebo [LSMD], -2.4; p = 0.02) and CGI-BP-S depression subscore (LSMD, -0.3; p = 0.01), while adjunctive lumateperone 28 mg showed numerical improvement in MADRS Total score (LSMD, -1.7; p = 0.10) and improvement in the CGI-BP-S depression subscore (LSMD, -0.3; p = 0.04). Adjunctive lumateperone treatment was well tolerated; treatment-emergent adverse events reported at rates >5% and twice placebo for lumateperone 42 mg were somnolence (11.3%), dizziness (10.7%), and nausea (8.5%), with minimal risk of EPS, metabolic abnormalities, or increased prolactin.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumateperone 42-mg treatment adjunctive to lithium or valproate significantly improved depression symptoms and was generally well tolerated in patients with MDEs associated with either bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

The efficacy and safety of lurasidone in bipolar I depression with and without rapid cycling: A pooled post-hoc analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of lurasidone monotherapy in patients with bipolar I depression with or without rapid cycling has not been previously investigated.

METHODS

We performed subgroup analysis (rapid cycling/non-rapid cycling) of pooled data from two 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of lurasidone monotherapy (20-60 mg/day or 80-120 mg/day). Analyses included mean change from baseline to week 6 in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score. Safety assessments included the number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and laboratory assessments.

RESULTS

Of 1024 patients randomized, 85 were rapid cycling. Mean change in MADRS total score in patients with non-rapid cycling and rapid cycling, respectively, was -14.8 (effect size = 0.47) and - 12.8 (effect size = 0.04) in the lurasidone 20-60 mg/day group, -14.3 (effect size = 0.41) and - 13.0 (effect size = 0.02) in the lurasidone 80-120 mg/day group and -10.6 and -13.3 in the placebo group. The most common TEAE in each subgroup was akathisia in both lurasidone groups. Treatment-emergent mania was reported only in a small number of rapid cycling and non-rapid cycling patients.

LIMITATIONS

This was a post-hoc analysis of a short-term study that excluded patients with ≥8 cycles in the past year.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with non-rapid cycling bipolar depression, lurasidone monotherapy significantly improved depressive symptoms relative to placebo at both the 20-60 mg/day and 80-120 mg/day doses. In patients with rapid cycling, both doses of lurasidone displayed depressive symptom score reduction from baseline, but significant improvement was not observed likely due to high levels of improvement on placebo and small sample size.

Atypical antipsychotic-induced mania: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The possibility of atypical antipsychotics (AA) to induce manic symptoms has been raised by several articles. The objective of this study was to describe whether exposure to AA may induce mania in mood disorders.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. The systematic search encompassed all relevant studies published until April 4th, 2022. A meta-analysis testing whether treatment emergent mania (TEM) is more frequent with the use of AA compared with placebo was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 52 studies were included in the systematic review. We found 24 case reports or case series describing 40 manic/hypomanic episodes allegedly induced by AA. Twenty-one placebo-controlled trials were included in a meta-analysis including 4823 individuals treated with AA and 3252 individuals receiving placebo. Our meta-analysis showed that the use of AA protects against the development of TEM (OR: 0.68 [95 % CI: 0.52-0.89], p = 0.005).

LIMITATIONS

AA-induced mania/hypomania was not the primary outcome in any of the observational or interventional studies. TEM was not homogeneously defined across studies. In most case reports it was not possible to establish causality between the use of AA and the development of manic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

TEM is more frequent with placebo than with AA, which suggests that AA exposure does not represent a relevant risk for TEM. Mania/hypomania induced by an AA seems to be rare events, since anecdotal evidence from case reports and case series were not observed in observational prospective and interventional studies.

All studies are not created equal: A systematic narrative review of bipolar depression clinical trial inclusion/exclusion rules and baseline severity scores

BACKGROUND

Several bipolar depression treatment guidelines have been designed to assist clinicians with medication selection. When ranking medications, none explicitly considered the inclusion/exclusion criteria or baseline severity scores of the reviewed clinical trials. This article aimed to determine if sufficient differences exist in these variables to justify their consideration when designing treatment guidelines.

METHODS

Using Ovid and PubMed databases in May and September 2022, all published, short-term cross-over or parallel-group design studies comparing second generation antipsychotics (SGAs), mood stabilizers, or antidepressants versus placebo in bipolar depressed patients were identified. Included studies must have enrolled adult bipolar I/II depressed patients, randomized patients into two or more treatment groups, utilized a double-blind, prospective design written in English, and had primary outcome results that were statistically significant in favor of the investigational treatment.

RESULTS

Thirty studies met eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 8791 patients. Among those studies, there were seventeen antipsychotic trials, six lithium trials, one lamotrigine trial, three valproate trials, two carbamazepine trials, and two antidepressant trials. The analysis revealed substantial differences among the studies. Although this was seen among all the different drug classes, these differences are clearest when comparing the lithium trials to those of the SGAs.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations included the selection of severity scores from the treatment arm with the most severe score and the exclusive focus on mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and SGAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Severity of the enrolled patient sample and treatment-resistance should be considered in addition to other factors when ranking medications in bipolar depression treatment guidelines.

Taiwan consensus on biological treatment of bipolar disorder during the acute, maintenance, and mixed phases: The 2022 update

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorder is a mood dysregulation characterized by recurrent symptoms and episodes of mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed mood. The complexity of treating patients with bipolar disorder prompted the Taiwanese Society of Biological Psychiatry and Neuropsychopharmacology (TSBPN) to publish the first Taiwan consensus on pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorders in 2012. This paper presents the updated consensus, with changes in diagnostic criteria (i.e., mixed features) and emerging pharmacological evidence published up to April 2022.

METHODS

Our working group systemically reviewed the clinical research evidence and international guidelines and determined the levels of evidence for each pharmacological treatment on the basis of the most recent World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry grading system. Four clinical-specific issues were proposed. The current TSBPN Bipolar Taskforce then discussed research evidence and clinical experience related to each treatment option in terms of efficacy and acceptability and then appraised final recommendation grades through anonymous voting.

RESULTS

In the updated consensus, we include the pharmacological recommendations for bipolar disorder with mixed features considering its high prevalence, the severe clinical prognosis, and the absence of approved medications. Cariprazine, lurasidone, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and ketamine are incorporated as treatment options. In the maintenance phase, the application of long-acting injectable antipsychotics is emphasized, and the hazards of using antidepressants and conventional antipsychotics are proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated Taiwan consensus on pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder provides concise evidence-based and empirical recommendations for clinical psychiatric practice. It may facilitate treatment outcome improvement in patients with bipolar disorder.

Lurasidone for Treating Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression: A Review of Its Efficacy

Lurasidone is an antipsychotic medication that blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT)_2A receptors and affects other serotoninergic and noradrenergic receptors. It has rapid absorption and linear pharmacokinetics. The rates of metabolic syndrome for patients taking lurasidone are comparable to placebo groups. Lurasidone is a safe and effective treatment for patients with acute schizophrenia and bipolar depression. It has been found to improve the brief psychiatric rating scale and other secondary measures in schizophrenic patients and reduce depressive symptoms in bipolar I depression. The once-daily administration of lurasidone is generally well-tolerated and does not cause clinically significant differences in extrapyramidal symptoms, adverse effects, or weight gain compared to a placebo. However, lurasidone's effectiveness in combination with lithium or valproate has been mixed. Further research is needed to determine optimal dosing, treatment duration, and combination with other mood stabilizers. Long-term safety and effectiveness and its use in different subpopulations should also be evaluated.

Therapeutic Potential and Limitation of Serotonin Type 7 Receptor Modulation

Although a number of mood-stabilising atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants modulate serotonin type 7 receptor (5-HT7), the detailed contributions of 5-HT7 function to clinical efficacy and pathophysiology have not been fully understood. The mood-stabilising antipsychotic agent, lurasidone, and the serotonin partial agonist reuptake inhibitor, vortioxetine, exhibit higher binding affinity to 5-HT7 than other conventional antipsychotics and antidepressants. To date, the initially expected rapid onset of antidepressant effects-in comparison with conventional antidepressants or mood-stabilising antipsychotics-due to 5-HT7 inhibition has not been observed with lurasidone and vortioxetine; however, several clinical studies suggest that 5-HT7 inhibition likely contributes to quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders via the improvement of cognition. Furthermore, recent preclinical studies reported that 5-HT7 inhibition might mitigate antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic complication by blocking other monoamine receptors. Further preclinical studies for the development of 5-HT7 modulation against neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases have been ongoing. To date, various findings from various preclinical studies indicate the possibility that 5-HT7 modifications can provide two independent strategies. The first is that 5-HT7 inhibition ameliorates the dysfunction of inter-neuronal transmission in mature networks. The other is that activation of 5-HT7 can improve transmission dysfunction due to microstructure abnormality in the neurotransmission network-which could be unaffected by conventional therapeutic agents-via modulating intracellular signalling during the neurodevelopmental stage or via loss of neural networks with aging. This review attempts to describe the current and novel clinical applications of 5-HT7 modulation based on preclinical findings.

Lurasidone versus Quetiapine for Cognitive Impairments in Young Patients with Bipolar Depression: A Randomized, Controlled Study

The clinical efficacy of lurasidone and quetiapine, two commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics for bipolar depression, has been inadequately studied in young patients. In this randomized and controlled study, we aimed to compare the effects of these two drugs on cognitive function, emotional status, and metabolic profiles in children and adolescents with bipolar depression. We recruited young participants (aged 10–17 years old) with a DSM-5 diagnosis of bipolar disorder during a depressive episode, who were then randomly assigned to two groups and treated with flexible doses of lurasidone (60 to 120 mg/day) or quetiapine (300 to 600 mg/day) for consecutive 8 weeks, respectively. All the participants were clinically evaluated on cognitive function using the THINC-it instrument at baseline and week 8, and emotional status was assessed at baseline and the end of week 2, 4, and 8. Additionally, the changes in weight and serum metabolic profiles (triglyceride, cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose) during the trial were also analyzed. In results, a total of 71 patients were randomly assigned to the lurasidone group (n = 35) or the quetiapine group (n = 36), of which 31 patients completed the whole treatment course. After an 8-week follow-up, participants in the lurasidone group showed better performance in the Symbol Check Reaction and Accuracy Tests, when compared to those in the quetiapine group. No inter-group difference was observed in the depression scores, response rate, or remission rate throughout the trial. In addition, there was no significant difference in serum metabolic profiles between the lurasidone group and the quetiapine group, including triglyceride level, cholesterol level, and fasting blood glucose level. However, the quetiapine group presented a more apparent change in body weight than the lurasidone group. In conclusion, the present study provided preliminary evidence that quetiapine and lurasidone had an equivalent anti-depressive effect, and lurasidone appeared to be superior to quetiapine in improving the cognitive function of young patients with bipolar depression.

Efficacy and safety of adjunctive therapy to lamotrigine, lithium, or valproate monotherapy in bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of adjunctive therapy are unclear in bipolar depression. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of second-generation antipsychotic, lamotrigine, lithium, or valproate therapy used in adjunction with lamotrigine, lithium, or valproate monotherapy in bipolar depression. A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted in February 2021, and all articles published until then were eligible. Two researchers independently screened relevant publications, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality according to the Cochrane criteria.

RESULTS

Five studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed significant differences in the following outcomes: (i) remission rates from depressive episodes (risk ratio [RR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.50, p = 0.04), (ii) improvement in depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.21, 95% CI 0.09-0.34, p = 0.001), (iii) improvement in quality of life (SMD: 0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.37, p = 0.005), and (iv) rate of adverse events during the study period (RR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22, p = 0.008). There was no significant difference between adjunctive therapy and monotherapy in the emergence of suicide-related behaviors, dropout rate during the study period, or rate of manic switching.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that adjunctive second-generation antipsychotics, lamotrigine, lithium, or valproate increase both the benefits and risks in patients with bipolar depression, although there is no significant difference in severe adverse events. Adjunctive therapy should be provided through shared decision-making while considering the patients' condition in clinical settings.

Clinical Effectiveness of Lurasidone Monotherapy in Patients with Acute Episodes of Schizophrenia and Associated Symptoms of Depression

AIM: We endeavored to evaluate the efficacy of Lurasidone at doses of 40160 mg per day on symptoms of schizophrenia associated with symptoms of depression in real clinical practice in a Russian patient population. METHODS: One hundred sixty eight patients aged 1865 years old, who at the time of the start of the observation were being treated in a hospital or day hospital due to an exacerbation of paranoid schizophrenia accompanied by symptoms of depression, were prescribed lurasidone. Treatment with lurasidone and other concomitant drugs, their prescription, withdrawal, selection, and dose modifications were determined based on the indications for the use of those drugs and the recommended doses in the instructions, clinical need, and patient interests, rather than by the goals of the study. During the observation period, the severity of depressive symptoms according to the Calgary Depression Scale (CDSS) and that of psychotic symptoms according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were assessed six times (before the start of treatment and then on the 4th, 7th, 14th, 28th, and 42nd days). RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms was observed with the use of lurasidone in doses ranging from 40 mg to 160 mg per day. The fastest and most significant (p 0.001) reductions in the total PANSS and CDSS scores were observed with lurasidone 120 mg. A somewhat lower efficacy of lurasidone was observed at a dose of 160 mg. The largest reductions in the total PANSS and CDSS scores with lurasidone 120 mg were associated with the highest survival rate and the longest median time from treatment initiation to discontinuation or follow-up. The most commonly reported side effects with lurasidone in this study (nausea, akathisia, tremor and drowsiness) were consistent with the known safety profile of the drug. Adverse events in most cases were assessed as mild, or occasionally moderate. CONCLUSION: A six-week prospective observational study of the real-world clinical effectiveness of lurasidone in doses ranging from 40 mg to 160 mg per day established statistically and clinically significant improvements in both psychotic and depressive symptoms in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and associated symptoms of depression.

New Atypical Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Depression

Schizophrenia and depression are heterogeneous disorders. The complex pathomechanism of the diseases imply that medication responses vary across patients. Many psychotropic drugs are available but achieving optimal therapeutic effect can be challenging. The evidence correlates well with clinical observations, suggesting that new atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective against negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as against affective symptoms observed in depression. The purpose of this review presents the background and evidence for the use of the new second/third-generation antipsychotics (aripiprazole, cariprazine, lurasidone, asenapine, brexpiprazole, lumateperone, pimavanserin) in treatment of schizophrenia and depression. We have first provided a brief overview of the major neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia and depression. We then shortly discuss efficacy, safety and limitations of ongoing pharmacotherapy used in depression and schizophrenia. Mainly, we have focused this review on the therapeutic potential of new atypical antipsychotic drugs—currently existing—to be effective in psychotic, as well as in affective disorders.

Risk of Drug-induced Movement Disorders with Newer Antipsychotic Agents

Background:

The last decade has seen development of numerous novel antipsychotic drugs with unique mechanisms including long-acting formulations for clinical use. A comparative assessment of these new drugs with each other and previous antipsychotics have not been performed with regards to risk for drug-induced movement disorders (DIMD).

Methods:

Medline was searched from January 2010 to February 2022 for primary research articles and review articles in English using the search terms “extrapyramidal” and “tardive” with individual drug names of novel antipsychotics.

Results:

We identified articles describing the risk of DIMD with 6 novel antipsychotics, 4 novel formulations, and 3 experimental antipsychotics. Both short- and long-term data generally showed comparable to lower risk of DIMD with novel antipsychotics and recent long-acting formulations compared to previously marketed antipsychotics.

Discussion:

Several novel antipsychotics, particularly lumateperone and pimavanserin, show promise in being able to treat psychosis while reducing the risk of DIMD. Long-acting paliperidone may reduce risk of DIMD while other long-acting injectable formulations of SGA have similar risk of DIMD compared to oral formulations. New drug targets for treating psychosis without dopamine blockade also show promise.

Safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia: results of a 2-year, open-label extension study

BACKGROUND

Minimal long-term benefit: Risk data are available regarding antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia in pediatric populations. This study evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of lurasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Patients aged from 13 to 17 who completed 6 weeks of double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled treatment with lurasidone were enrolled in a 2-year, open-label (OL), flexible dose (20-80 mg/day) lurasidone treatment study. Safety was assessed via spontaneous reporting, rating scales, body weight measurement, metabolic, and prolactin testing. Effectiveness measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score.

RESULTS

About 271 patients completed 6 weeks of DB treatment and entered the 2-year OL extension study. Altogether, 42.4% discontinued prematurely, 10.7% due to adverse events. During OL treatment, the most common adverse events were headache (24.0%); anxiety (12.9%), schizophrenia, and nausea (12.5%); sedation/somnolence (12.2%); and nasopharyngitis (8.9%). Minimal changes were observed on metabolic parameters and prolactin. Mean change from DB baseline in weight at week 52 and week 104 was +3.3 kg and + 4.9 kg, respectively, compared to an expected weight gain of +3.4 kg and + 5.7 kg, respectively, based on the sex- and age-matched US Center for Disease Control normative data. Continued improvement was observed in PANSS total score, with mean change from OL baseline of -15.6 at week 52 and -18.4 at week 104.

CONCLUSION

In adolescents with schizophrenia, long-term lurasidone treatment was associated with minimal effects on body weight, lipids, glycemic indices, and prolactin. Continued improvement in symptoms of schizophrenia was observed over 2 years of lurasidone treatment.

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Proof-of-Concept Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Non-racemic Amisulpride (SEP-4199) for the Treatment of Bipolar I Depression

BACKGROUND

Non-racemic amisulpride (SEP-4199) is an 85:15 ratio of aramisulpride:esamisulpride with a 5-HT7 and D2 receptor binding profile optimized for the treatment of bipolar depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SEP-4199 for the treatment of bipolar depression.

METHODS

Patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for bipolar I depression were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment with SEP-4199 200 mg/d or 400 mg/d. The primary endpoint was change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at Week 6. The primary efficacy analysis population consisted of patients in Europe and US (n = 289); the secondary efficacy analysis population (ITT; n = 337) included patients in Japan.

RESULTS

Endpoint improvement in MADRS total score was observed on both the primary analysis for SEP-4199 200 mg/d (P = 0.054; effect size [ES], 0.31) and 400 mg/d (P = 0.054; ES, 0.29), and on the secondary (full ITT) analysis for SEP-4199 200 mg/d (P = 0.016; ES, 0.34) and 400 mg/d (P = 0.024; ES, 0.31). Study completion rates were 81% on SEP-4199 200 mg/d, 88% on 400 mg/d, and 86% on placebo. SEP-4199 had low rates of individual adverse events (<8%) and minimal effects on weight and lipids; median increases in prolactin were +83.6 μg/L on 200 mg/d, +95.2 μg/L on 400 mg/d compared with 0.0 μg/L on placebo.

LIMITATIONS

The study excluded patients with bipolar II depression and serious psychiatric or medical comorbidity.

CONCLUSION

Study results provide preliminary proof of concept, needing confirmation in subsequent randomized trials, for the efficacy of non-racemic amisulpride in bipolar depression.

Tolerability, Safety, and Effectiveness of Two Years of Treatment with Lurasidone in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Depression

Objectives: To evaluate long-term safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar depression. Methods: Participants, ages 10-17 years, with bipolar depression, who completed 6 weeks of double-blind (DB) treatment with lurasidone or placebo were enrolled in a 2-year, open-label (OL) extension study of lurasidone (20-80 mg/d). The primary effectiveness measure was the Children's Depression Rating Scale, Revised (CDRS-R). Results: A total of 306 participants entered the 2-year extension study; 195 (63.7%) completed 52 weeks, and 168 (54.9%) completed 104 weeks of treatment. For all participants entering the extension study, mean change in CDRS from OL baseline was -13.4 at week 52, and -16.4 at week 104 (-11.3 at last observation carried forward [LOCF]-endpoint). Overall, 31 participants (10.1%) discontinued due to an adverse event (AE); the three most common AEs were headache (23.9%), nausea (16.4%), and somnolence (9.8%). OL treatment with lurasidone was associated with few effects on metabolic parameters or prolactin. Mean change from DB baseline in weight was +4.25 kg at week 52 (vs. an expected weight gain of +3.76 kg), and +6.75 kg at week 104 (vs. an expected weight gain of +6.67 kg), based on the sex- and age-matched United States Center for Disease Control normative data. Conclusions: For youth with bipolar depression, up to 2 years of treatment with lurasidone was generally well tolerated, safe, and effective with relatively low rates of discontinuation due to AEs, minimal effects on weight, metabolic parameters or prolactin, and continued improvement in depressive symptoms. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT01914393.

Efficacy and safety of lurasidone in children and adolescents: Recommendations for clinical management and future research

Lurasidone is a novel azapirone derivative, and atypical antipsychotic agent with a high binding affinity for dopaminergic (D2), serotoninergic (5-HT2A), and 5-HT7 receptors (antagonist), a moderate affinity for 5-HT1A receptors (partial agonist), and no appreciable affinity for histaminergic (H1) and muscarinic (M1) receptors. It was recently included by the European Medication Agency among the in-label pharmacological treatments for children and adolescents affected by early onset schizophrenia. As a dopamine and serotonin antagonist, lurasidone acts on a variety of receptors and showed its efficacy both as an antipsychotic and an activating compound. Administered with food or within 30 minutes from a meal, it presents sufficient bioavailability and does not interact ith most of the other drugs during metabolism. With little effects on hormones and weight gain, potential procognitive profile due to its 5-HT7 antagonism, and reduced extrapyramidal side effects, lurasidone could be a good choice in terms of both effectiveness and tolerability, particularly for patients headed towards a long-term treatment. This article aims to summarize the available scientific evidence from the literature on the use of lurasidone in children and adolescents and to provide recommendations for clinical management and future research.

Lurasidone in the long-term treatment of Japanese patients with bipolar I disorder: a 52 week open label study

Background

The current study evaluated the long-term (52 week) safety and impact on symptom measures of lurasidone (with or without lithium or valproate) for the treatment of bipolar I disorder in Japanese patients.

Methods

Bipolar patients for this open-label flexibly dosed lurasidone (20–120 mg/day) study were recruited from those with a recent/current depressive episode who completed an initial 6 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, lurasidone study (depressed group), and those with a recent/current manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode (non-depressed group) who agreed to enroll directly into the long-term study. Measures of adverse events and safety included treatment-emergent adverse events, vital signs, body weight, ECG, laboratory tests, and measures of suicidality and extrapyramidal symptoms. Symptom measures included Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).

Results

The most common adverse events associated with lurasidone were akathisia (30.7%), nasopharyngitis (26.6%), nausea (12.1%), and somnolence (12.1%). Minimal changes in lipids and measures of glycemic control occurred. Mean change in body weight was + 1.0 kg in the non-depressed group and − 0.8 kg in the depressed group. MADRS total scores declined by a mean (SD) of 2.0 (14.7) points from long-term baseline to endpoint in the depressed group who had received placebo in the prior 6 week trial. The depressed group that had received lurasidone during the prior 6 week study maintained their depressive symptom improvements. For the non-depressed group, YMRS total scores decreased over time.

Limitations

No control group was included, treatment was open-label, and 49.7% of patients completed the 52 week study.

Conclusions

Long-term treatment with lurasidone 20–120 mg/day for Japanese patients with bipolar disorder maintained improvements in depressive symptoms for depressed patients who were treated in a prior 6 week trial and led to improvements in manic symptoms among a newly recruited subgroup of patients with a recent/current manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode. Few changes in weight or metabolic parameters were evident.

Clinical trial registration: JapicCTI-132319, clinicaltrials.gov—NCT01986114.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40345-021-00230-8.

Old Age Bipolar Disorder-Epidemiology, Aetiology and Treatment

Data regarding older age bipolar disorder (OABD) are sparse. Two major groups are classified as patients with first occurrence of mania in old age, the so called “late onset” patients (LOBD), and the elder patients with a long-standing clinical history, the so called “early onset” patients (EOBD). The aim of the present literature review is to provide more information on specific issues concerning OABD, such as epidemiology, aetiology and treatments outcomes. We conducted a Medline literature search from 1970–2021 using the MeSH terms “bipolar disorder” and “aged” or “geriatric” or “elderly”. The additional literature was retrieved by examining cross references and by a hand search in textbooks. With sparse data on the treatment of OABD, current guidelines concluded that first-line treatment of OABD should be similar to that for working-age bipolar disorder, with specific attention to side effects, somatic comorbidities and specific risks of OABD. With constant monitoring and awareness of the possible toxic drug interactions, lithium is a safe drug for OABD patients, both in mania and maintenance. Lamotrigine and lurasidone could be considered in bipolar depression. Mood stabilizers, rather than second generation antipsychotics, are the treatment of choice for maintenance. If medication fails, electroconvulsive therapy is recommended for mania, mixed states and depression, and can also be offered for continuation and maintenance treatment. Preliminary results also support a role of psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions in old age BD. The recommended treatments for OABD include lithium and antiepileptics such as valproic acid and lamotrigine, and lurasidone for bipolar depression, although the evidence is still weak. Combined psychosocial and pharmacological treatments also appear to be a treatment of choice for OABD. More research is needed on the optimal pharmacological and psychosocial approaches to OABD, as well as their combination and ranking in an evidence-based therapy algorithm.

Relationship of Brain Glutamate Response to D-Cycloserine and Lurasidone to Antidepressant Response in Bipolar Depression: A Pilot Study

N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate-receptor (NMDAR) antagonists such as ketamine have demonstrated efficacy in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder depression (BP-D). We have previously reported that reduction in Glx (glutamate + glutamine) in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex/anterior cingulate cortex (vmPFC/ACC), measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) at 3T during a ketamine infusion, mediates the relationship of ketamine dose and blood level to improvement in depression. In the present study, we assessed the impact of D-cycloserine (DCS), an oral NMDAR antagonist combined with lurasidone in BP-D on both glutamate and Glx. Subjects with DSM-V BP-D-I/II and a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score>17, underwent up to three 1H MRS scans. During Scan 1, subjects were randomized to receive double-blind lurasidone 66 mg or placebo. During Scan 2, all subjects received single-blind DCS 950 mg + lurasidone 66 mg, followed by 4 weeks of open label phase of DCS+lurasidone and an optional Scan 3. Five subjects received lurasidone alone and three subjects received placebo for Scan 1. Six subjects received DCS+lurasidone during Scan 2. There was no significant baseline or between treatment-group differences in acute depression improvement or glutamate response. In Scan 2, after a dose of DCS+lurasidone, peak change in glutamate correlated negatively with improvement from baseline MADRS (r = -0.83, p = 0.04). There were no unexpected adverse events. These preliminary pilot results require replication but provide further support for a link between antidepressant effect and a decrease in glutamate by the NMDAR antagonist class of antidepressants.

Evaluation and treatment of older-age bipolar disorder: a narrative review

Objectives

This narrative review aims to synthesize information from the literature regarding older-age bipolar disorder (OABD) in order to provide up-to-date information on this important illness.

Methods

We searched Ovid (Medline, Embase and PsychInfo) on October 1, 2020, using the keywords “bipolar disorder”, “older adults” and “elderly” to identify relevant articles on OABD. Additionally, the bibliography of identified articles was reviewed for pertinent studies.

Discussions

OABD is a term that is used to describe bipolar disorder (BD) occurring amongst individuals ≥50 years of age. Evidence indicates that OABD accounts for a quarter of all cases of BD. When compared to individuals with early-onset BD, individuals with OABD have a greater association with cerebrovascular disease and other neurological disorders, less family history of mood disorders, and utilize almost four times the total amount of mental health services. In addition, they are four times more likely to have psychiatric hospitalizations when compared to age-matched controls. Despite a dearth of controlled studies on the use of pharmacotherapy amongst individuals with OABD, available evidence from mixed-age studies indicates the efficacy of commonly used medications in individuals with early-onset BD. Additionally, psychosocial treatments have been found to be effective as adjunctive management strategies amongst individuals with OABD. Furthermore, electroconvulsive therapy may be effective in the treatment of refractory cases of OABD.

Conclusions

There is a great need for an improved understanding of the phenomenology and neurobiology of OABD. Additionally, research into effective treatments for this serious psychiatric disorder will mitigate the suffering of individuals with OABD.

Treatment-resistant bipolar depression: concepts and challenges for novel interventions

Treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD) has been reported in about one-quarter of patients with bipolar disorders, and few interventions have shown clear and established effectiveness. We conducted a narrative review of the published medical literature to identify papers discussing treatment-resistant depression concepts and novel interventions for bipolar depression that focus on TRBD. We searched for potentially relevant English-language articles published in the last decade. Selected articles (based on the title and abstract) were retrieved for a more detailed evaluation. A number of promising new interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, are being investigated for TRBD treatment, including ketamine, lurasidone, D-cycloserine, pioglitazone, N-acetylcysteine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, magnetic seizure therapy, intermittent theta-burst stimulation, deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation therapy, and deep brain stimulation. Although there is no consensus about the concept of TRBD, better clarification of the neurobiology associated with treatment non-response could help identify novel strategies. More research is warranted, mainly focusing on personalizing current treatments to optimize response and remission rates.

Hospitalization Risk for Adults with Bipolar I Disorder Treated with Oral Atypical Antipsychotics as Adjunctive Therapy with Mood Stabilizers: A Retrospective Analysis of Medicaid Claims Data

Background: Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) with mood stabilizers are recommended as a first-line treatment for patients with bipolar disorder. No studies have compared the inpatient health care resource utilization for patients with bipolar disorder treated with lurasidone as adjunctive therapy with mood stabilizers compared with other oral AAPs. Objective: To compare the risk of hospitalization for adult Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar I disorder when treated with lurasidone compared with other oral AAPs as adjunctive therapy with mood stabilizers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the MarketScan Research Databases Multi-State Medicaid Database (IBM, Armonk, NY) claims data to assess patients with bipolar I disorder between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2019. Adult patients who initiated oral AAP treatment with mood stabilizers (index date) and who were continuously enrolled 12 months before (pre-index) and 24 months after (post-index) the index date were included. Treatment categories assigned by patient-month included lurasidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone with mood stabilizers; no/minimal treatment; AAP monotherapy; and other. Marginal structural models were performed to estimate the all-cause and psychiatric hospitalization rates and hospital length of stay associated with each adjunctive AAP therapy by controlling for both time-invariant and time-varying confounders. Results: Adults with bipolar I disorder (N = 11,426; mean age = 39.4 years; female=73%) treated with an adjunctive oral AAP with mood stabilizers during the index month were categorized into lurasidone (12%), aripiprazole (17%), olanzapine (7%), quetiapine (32%), risperidone (11%), ziprasidone (7%), or other (15%) treatment groups. The adjusted odds of all-cause and psychiatric hospitalization were significantly higher for olanzapine (all causes: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.13-2.25; psychiatric: aOR = 1.61, 95% CI, 1.12-2.32), quetiapine (all-causes: aOR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.01-1.58; psychiatric: aOR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.02-1.59), and ziprasidone (all-causes: aOR = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.05-2.66; psychiatric: aOR = 1.55, 95% CI, 1.02-2.35) compared with lurasidone with mood stabilizers. The adjusted odds of all-cause and psychiatric hospitalizations were numerically lower for lurasidone compared with aripiprazole. The all-cause hospital length of stay per 100 patient-months was significantly higher for olanzapine (20.3 days) and quetiapine (16.0 days) compared with lurasidone (12.2 days, both P values < 0.05). Conclusions: In a Medicaid population, adults with bipolar I disorder treated with lurasidone as adjunctive therapy with mood stabilizers had significantly lower all-cause and psychiatric hospitalization rates compared with olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone. Fewer hospitalizations may reduce the economic burden associated with bipolar disorder. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2021; 82:XXX-XXX).

Lurasidone in the Long-Term Treatment of Bipolar I Depression: A 28-week Open Label Extension Study

BACKGROUND

Lurasidone has demonstrated efficacy for short-term treatment of bipolar depression in a diverse ethnic population including Japanese. This study evaluated the long-term safety and effectiveness of open-label lurasidone treatment in these patients.

METHODS

Patients for this 28-week extension study were recruited from those who completed a 6-week double-blind study of lurasidone, 20-60 mg/day, lurasidone 80-120 mg/day, and placebo. In the extension study, lurasidone was flexibly dosed (20 to 120 mg/day). Safety was evaluated in terms of change from extension-phase baseline to endpoint including adverse events, vital signs, body weight, ECG, laboratory tests, and measures of suicidality and extrapyramidal symptoms. Effectiveness was determined by Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and other measures.

RESULTS

303 of 413 (73.3%) subjects completed the extension study. Discontinuation due to a treatment-emergent adverse event occurred for 11.4% of those who received placebo, and 8.9% of those who received lurasidone, in the prior 6-week trial. The most common treatment-emergent adverse event was akathisia. Minimal changes were evident on body weight and metabolic parameters. Long-term treatment with lurasidone further reduced mean MADRS total scores from long-term baseline to week 28 (or endpoint) for both those who had received prior placebo (-11.3), and those who had receive prior lurasidone (-8.9), in the 6-week double-blind trial.

LIMITATIONS

There was no placebo control and treatment was not double-blind.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term treatment with lurasidone (20-120 mg/day) was well-tolerated with no new safety concerns and associated with continued improvement in depressive symptoms in this international sample of patients with bipolar depression.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

JapicCTI-132319, clinicaltrials.gov - NCT01986114.

Extra-synaptic modulation of GABAA and efficacy in bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorder type I is a severe psychiatric condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality and whose treatment remains suboptimal. Its pathophysiology involves disturbance in the control of ionic fluxes so that when patients are either manic or depressed, the resting membrane potential of neurons is more depolarized than normal. Available mood stabilizers have a shared mechanism of normalizing ion flux by compensating for ionic abnormalities, and normalizing membrane potential.

HYPOTHESIS

Agents that significantly potentiate extrasynaptic GABA_A receptors are expected to be particularly effective in hyperpolarizing resting membrane potential in bipolar patients, thereby normalizing their membrane potential.

DISCUSSION

New neuroactive steroid-like agents are being tested in humans for depression and insomnia. These agents include brexanolone, ganaxolone, and gaboxadol. Brexanolone has been approved for the treatment of postpartum depression, ganaxolone is being studied for treatment-resistant depression, and gaboxadol development for the treatment of insomnia has been abandoned due to narrow therapeutic index. In addition to the current studies, these agents are expected to have particular efficacy in acute and prophylactic management of bipolar I disorder by hyperpolarizing the resting potential of neurons and antagonizing one of the most reproducible demonstrated biologic abnormalities of this illness.

Synthesis of Isothiazoles and Isoselenazoles through Rhodium-Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation with Elemental Sulfur and Selenium

A rhodium-catalyzed oxidative annulation of benzimidates with elemental sulfur for the direct construction of isothiazole rings is reported. The proposed reaction mechanism involving Rh(I)/Rh(III) redox is supported by a stoichiometric reaction of metallacycle species as well as DFT calculations. This method is also applicable to selenium cyclization to produce isoselenazole derivatives. The alkoxy substituent at C3 can be used for further functionalization of the azole core.

Healthcare resource utilization, costs and treatment patterns in patients with bipolar disorder treated with lurasidone or cariprazine

OBJECTIVE

To compare healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), costs, and treatment adherence and persistence for patients with bipolar disorder treated with lurasidone or cariprazine.

METHODS

Adult patients with bipolar disorder who initiated lurasidone or cariprazine as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2019 were identified from the IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Database. The date of the first claim for lurasidone or cariprazine was defined as the index date. A difference-in-difference (DID) analysis, which mitigated bias by using each cohort as its own control, compared the changes in HCRU and costs from 6-months pre-treatment (baseline) to 6-months post-treatment (follow-up) between the two cohorts. Treatment adherence (medication possession ratio and proportion of days covered) and persistence (time to discontinuation) were assessed during the 6-month post-treatment period. Adjusted analyses were conducted using inverse probability of treatment weighting on HCRU, costs, and time to discontinuation.

RESULTS

A total of 16,683 patients treated with lurasidone and 4,128 patients treated with cariprazine were identified. Average age (39-40) and proportion female (68-71%) were similar between cohorts. Both cohorts had reductions in hospitalizations from baseline to follow-up, and the decrease was significantly greater for the lurasidone cohort compared to the cariprazine cohort (change in the proportions of patients with all-cause hospitalizations: -5.3% vs. -2.5%, DID = -2.8%, p<.001). The total healthcare costs increased from baseline to follow-up in both cohorts, and the increase was significantly lower for the lurasidone cohort (change in total all-cause healthcare cost per person: $3,413 vs. $4,642, DID=-$1,228, p = .022). The lurasidone cohort had significantly lower risk of discontinuing treatment (hazard ratio = 0.86, p<.001) than the cariprazine cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with bipolar disorder treated with lurasidone had greater reductions in hospitalizations from 6-months pre-treatment to 6-months post-treatment and had a lower increase in total costs compared to patients treated with cariprazine.

Current Limitations and Candidate Potential of 5-HT7 Receptor Antagonism in Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy

Several mood-stabilizing atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants weakly block serotonin (5-HT) receptor type-7 (5-HT7R); however, the contributions of 5-HT7R antagonism to clinical efficacy and pathophysiology are yet to be clarified. A novel mood-stabilizing antipsychotic agent, lurasidone exhibits predominant binding affinity to 5-HT7R when compared with other monoamine receptors. To date, we have failed to discover the superior clinical efficacy of lurasidone on schizophrenia, mood, or anxiety disorders when compared with conventional mood-stabilizing atypical antipsychotics; however, numerous preclinical findings have indicated the possible potential of 5-HT7R antagonism against several neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as the generation of novel therapeutic options that could not be expected with conventional atypical antipsychotics. Traditional experimental techniques, electrophysiology, and microdialysis have demonstrated that the effects of 5-HT receptor type-1A (5-HT1AR) and 5-HT7R on neurotransmission are in contrast, but the effect of 5-HT1AR is more predominant than that of 5-HT7R, resulting in an insufficient understanding of the 5-HT7R function in the field of psychopharmacology. Accumulating knowledge regarding the pharmacodynamic profiles of 5-HT7R suggests that 5-HT7R is one of the key players in the establishment and remodeling of neural development and cytoarchitecture during the early developmental stage to the mature brain, and dysfunction or modulation of 5-HT7R is linked to the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, to explore candidate novel applications for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including mood disorders, schizophrenia, and other cognitive disturbance disorders, we discuss perspectives of psychopharmacology regarding the effects of 5-HT7R antagonism on transmission and intracellular signaling systems, based on preclinical findings.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CX. Classification of Receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine; Pharmacology and Function

5-HT receptors expressed throughout the human body are targets for established therapeutics and various drugs in development. Their diversity of structure and function reflects the important role 5-HT receptors play in physiologic and pathophysiological processes. The present review offers a framework for the official receptor nomenclature and a detailed understanding of each of the 14 5-HT receptor subtypes, their roles in the systems of the body, and, where appropriate, the (potential) utility of therapeutics targeting these receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides a comprehensive account of the classification and function of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, including how they are targeted for therapeutic benefit.

Major depressive disorder with mixed features and treatment response to lurasidone: A symptom network model

BACKGROUND

To investigate the symptom network structure of major depressive disorder (MDD) with mixed features and implications for treatment.

METHODS

In this post-hoc analysis of a previously reported randomized trial, patients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for MDD presenting with two or three manic symptoms (DSM-5 mixed features specifier) were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone 20-60 mg/d (N = 109) or placebo (N = 100). The network structure of symptoms at baseline and their treatment moderating effects were investigated.

RESULTS

Network analyses showed that both ``elevated mood'' (YMRS item 1) and ``increased motor activity-energy'' (YMRS item 2) were associated with ``sleep disturbance'' ("bridge" symptom) and the depressive symptom cluster. Presence of both "elevated mood" and "increased motor activity-energy" at baseline predicted significantly less improvement in MADRS and CGI-S score at week 6 with lurasidone (vs. placebo) compared to patients without these manic symptoms at baseline. The network model also showed "rapid/pressured speech" (YMRS item 6) at baseline predicted improvement in both manic and depressive symptoms with lurasidone vs. placebo treatment.

LIMITATIONS

This was a post-hoc analysis where findings need to be confirmed by prospective controlled studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This post-hoc analysis describes the symptom network structure of MDD with mixed features in a patient sample at study baseline. Specific manic symptoms were found to be linked to sleep disturbance (characterized as a "bridge" symptom), which in turn linked the manic and depressive symptom clusters. The presence (vs. absence) of the specific manic symptoms we identified moderated the antidepressant and antimanic effects of lurasidone in the treatment of MDD with mixed (subthreshold hypomanic) features.

Lurasidone in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Depression Presenting with Mixed (Subsyndromal Hypomanic) Features: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone in the treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar depression presenting with mixed (subsyndromal hypomanic) features. Methods: Patients, 10-17 years of age, with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5), diagnosis of bipolar I depression were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with once-daily flexible doses of lurasidone 20-80 mg or placebo. The presence of mixed (subsyndromal hypomanic) features in this pediatric bipolar depression trial was defined as a Young Mania Rating Scale score of 5 or greater at study baseline. Key efficacy measures included change from baseline to week 6 in the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) score (primary endpoint) and Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Severity (CGI-BP-S) score, using a mixed model for repeated measures analysis. Results: At baseline, subsyndromal hypomanic features were present in 54.2% of patients. Treatment with lurasidone (vs. placebo) was associated with significantly greater reductions in CDRS-R scores at week 6, independent of the presence (-21.5 vs. -15.9, p < 0.01; effect size d = 0.43) or absence (-20.5 vs. -14.9, p < 0.01; d = 0.44) of subsyndromal hypomanic features. Likewise, lurasidone (vs. placebo) was associated with significantly greater reductions in CGI-BP-S scores at week 6, independent of the presence (-1.6 vs. -1.1, p < 0.001, d = 0.51) or absence (-1.3 vs. -1.0, p = 0.05; d = 0.31) of these subsyndromal hypomanic features. Rates of protocol-defined treatment-emergent hypomania or mania were similar for lurasidone and placebo in patients with (lurasidone 8.2% vs. placebo 9.0%) or without subsyndromal hypomanic features (lurasidone 1.3% vs. placebo 3.7%). Conclusions: In this post hoc analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial, lurasidone was found to be efficacious in the treatment of child and adolescent patients with bipolar depression who presented with mixed (subsyndromal hypomanic) features. No differences in safety profile, including the risk of treatment-emergent mania, were observed in patients with or without subsyndromal hypomanic features in this study.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lurasidone monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I depression

AIM

Previous studies conducted primarily in the USA and Europe have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of lurasidone 20-120 mg/day for the treatment of bipolar I depression. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I depression among patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including those from Japan.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment for 6 weeks with lurasidone, 20-60 mg/day (n = 184) or 80-120 mg/day (n = 169), or placebo (n = 172). The primary end-point was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

RESULTS

Lurasidone treatment significantly reduced mean MADRS total scores from baseline to Week 6 for the 20-60-mg/day group (-13.6; adjusted P = 0.007; effect size = 0.33), but not for the 80-120-mg/day group (-12.6; adjusted P = 0.057; effect size = 0.22) compared with placebo (-10.6). Treatment with lurasidone 20-60 mg/day also improved MADRS response rates, functional impairment, and anxiety symptoms. The most common adverse events associated with lurasidone were akathisia and nausea. Lurasidone treatments were associated with minimal changes in weight, lipids, and measures of glycemic control.

CONCLUSION

Monotherapy with once daily doses of lurasidone 20-60 mg, but not 80-120 mg, significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved functioning in patients with bipolar I depression. Results overall were consistent with previous studies, suggesting that lurasidone 20-60 mg/day is effective and safe in diverse ethnic populations, including Japanese.

[The pharmacoeconomic efficacy of lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia]

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a comprehensive pharmacoeconomic evaluation of lurasidone for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia under Russian healthcare system conditions and inclusion in EDL (Essential Drugs List) and Medication List for the Certain Categories of Citizens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study of lurasidone in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia was performed. Methods of pharmacoeconomic analysis were: cost analysis, budget impact analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.

RESULTS

Use of lurasidone for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia requires 50.04% less costs than the use of paliperidone and 46.69% less costs than the use of sertindole allowing to provide additional therapies to 100.1 and 87.6% of patients, respectively. The cost minimization analysis results are stable when prices fluctuate in the range of ±30%. Considering the current volume of antipsychotic drug supply, replacing 100% of paliperidone with lurasidone from the first year will reduce the cost of antipsychotics for patients who received paliperidone by 39.79 or by 360.81 million rubles over 3 years. Replacing 100% of sertindole with lurasidone from the first year will reduce the cost of antipsychotics for patients who received sertindole by 37.21 or 173.87 million rubles over 3 years. The results of the budget impact analysis are resistant to changes in prices for compared drugs in a wide range.

CONCLUSION

Lurasidone is a more effective drug for treatment of schizophrenia from a pharmacoeconomic point of view in comparison with paliperidone and sertindole. With comparative efficacy with paliperidone and sertindole the use of lurasidone can significantly reduce the burden on budget of state programs of compensation for certain categories of citizens.

The Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project at the Harvard South Shore Program: An update on bipolar depression

BACKGROUND

The Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project at the Harvard South Shore Program (PAPHSS) published algorithms for bipolar depression in 1999 and 2010. Developments over the past 9 years suggest that another update is needed.

METHODS

The 2010 algorithm and associated references were reevaluated. A literature search was conducted on PubMed for recent studies and review articles to see what changes in the recommendations were justified. Exceptions to the main algorithm for special patient populations, including those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, and women of childbearing potential, and those with common medical comorbidities were considered.

RESULTS

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still the first-line option for patients in need of urgent treatment. Five medications are recommended for early usage in acute bipolar depression, singly or in combinations when monotherapy fails, the order to be determined by considerations such as side effect vulnerability and patient preference. The five are lamotrigine, lurasidone, lithium, quetiapine, and cariprazine. After trials of these, possible options include antidepressants (bupropion and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are preferred) or valproate (very small evidence-base). In bipolar II depression, the support for antidepressants is a little stronger but depression with mixed features and rapid cycling would usually lead to further postponement of antidepressants. Olanzapine+fluoxetine, though Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for bipolar depression, is not considered until beyond this point, due to metabolic side effects. The algorithm concludes with a table of other possible treatments that have some evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

This revision incorporates the latest FDA-approved treatments (lurasidone and cariprazine) and important new studies and organizes the evidence systematically.

Comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological treatments for the treatment of acute bipolar depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the comparative efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological treatment strategies for the treatment of acute bipolar depression.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted by searching eight registries for published and unpublished, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of pharmacotherapies for the acute treatment of bipolar depression.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

PRISMA guidelines were used for abstracting data, while the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess data quality. Data extraction was done independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcomes were efficacy (response and remission rate) and acceptability (completion of treatment and dropouts due to adverse events). Summary odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects.

RESULTS

Identified citations (4,404) included 50 trials comprising 11,448 participants. Escitalopram, phenelzine, moclobemide, carbamazepine, sertraline, lithium, paroxetine, aripiprazole, gabapentin and ziprasidone appear to be ineffective as compared to placebo in treatment of bipolar depression. Divalproex, olanzapine/fluoxetine, olanzapine, quetiapine, cariprazine, and lamotrigine, appear to be effective as compared to placebo in treatment of bipolar depression according to the network meta-analysis. Aripiprazole showed higher discontinuation rates versus placebo due to the appearance of any adverse event. Quetiapine was better than placebo at reducing treatment-emergent affective switches. For Bipolar I Disorder, cariprazine, fluoxetine, imipramine, lamotrigine, lurasidone, olanzapine-fluoxetine, and olanzapine were significantly better than placebo at response, while fluoxetine, imipramine, cariprazine, lurasidone, olanzapine-fluoxetine, and olanzapine were significantly better than placebo at remission.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These results could serve evidence-based practice and inform patients, physicians, guideline developers, and policymakers on the relative benefits of the different antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood-stabilizing agents for the treatment of bipolar depression.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42019122172).

The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on the course and outcomes of patients with bipolar disorder in a treatment-resistant depressive episode: a 5-year prospective registry

BACKGROUND

To compare illness characteristics, treatment history, response and durability, and suicidality scores over a 5-year period in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression participating in a prospective, multicenter, open-label registry and receiving Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy (VNS Therapy) plus treatment-as-usual (VNS + TAU) or TAU alone.

METHODS

Response was defined as ≥ 50% decrease from baseline Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at 3, 6, 9, or 12 months post-baseline. Response was retained while MADRS score remained ≥ 40% lower than baseline. Time-to-events was estimated using Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and compared using log-rank test. Suicidality was assessed using the MADRS Item 10 score.

RESULTS

At baseline (entry into registry), the VNS + TAU group (N = 97) had more episodes of depression, psychiatric hospitalizations, lifetime suicide attempts and higher suicidality score, more severe symptoms (based on MADRS and other scales), and higher rate of prior electroconvulsive therapy than TAU group (N = 59). Lifetime use of medications was similar between the groups (a mean of 9) and was consistent with the severe treatment-resistant nature of their depression. Over 5 years, 63% (61/97) in VNS + TAU had an initial response compared with 39% (23/59) in TAU. The time-to-initial response was significantly quicker for VNS + TAU than for TAU (p < 0.03). Among responders in the first year after implant, the KM estimate of the median time-to-relapse from initial response was 15.2 vs 7.6 months for VNS + TAU compared with TAU (difference was not statistically significant). The mean reduction in suicidality score across the study visits was significantly greater in the VNS + TAU than in the TAU group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The patients who received VNS + TAU included in this analysis had severe bipolar depression that had proved extremely difficult to treat. The TAU comparator group were similar though had slightly less severe illnesses on some measures and had less history of suicide attempts. Treatment with VNS + TAU was associated with a higher likelihood of attaining a response compared to TAU alone. VNS + TAU was also associated with a significantly greater mean reduction in suicidality.

LIMITATIONS

In this registry study, participants were not randomized to the study treatment group, VNS Therapy stimulation parameters were not controlled, and there was a high attrition rate over 5 years. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00320372. Registered 3 May 2006, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00320372 (retrospectively registered).

The CINP Guidelines on the Definition and Evidence-Based Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder

BACKGROUND

Resistant bipolar disorder is a major mental health problem related to significant disability and overall cost. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review of the literature concerning (1) the definition of treatment resistance in bipolar disorder, (2) its clinical and (3) neurobiological correlates, and (4) the evidence-based treatment options for treatment-resistant bipolar disorder and for eventually developing guidelines for the treatment of this condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PRISMA method was used to identify all published papers relevant to the definition of treatment resistance in bipolar disorder and the associated evidence-based treatment options. The MEDLINE was searched to April 22, 2018.

RESULTS

Criteria were developed for the identification of resistance in bipolar disorder concerning all phases. The search of the literature identified all published studies concerning treatment options. The data were classified according to strength, and separate guidelines regarding resistant acute mania, acute bipolar depression, and the maintenance phase were developed.

DISCUSSION

The definition of resistance in bipolar disorder is by itself difficult due to the complexity of the clinical picture, course, and treatment options. The current guidelines are the first, to our knowledge, developed specifically for the treatment of resistant bipolar disorder patients, and they also include an operationalized definition of treatment resistance. They were based on a thorough and deep search of the literature and utilize as much as possible an evidence-based approach.

Efficacy of lurasidone across five symptom dimensions of schizophrenia: Pooled analysis of short-term, placebo-controlled studies

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of lurasidone for schizophrenia using an established five-factor model of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

Methods:

Patient-level data were pooled from five randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week studies of lurasidone (fixed doses, 40–160 mg/d) for patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. Changes in five established PANSS factors were assessed using mixed-model repeated measures analysis.

Results:

Compared with placebo (n = 496), lurasidone (n = 1029, dose groups pooled) significantly improved the PANSS total score at Week 6 (−22.6 vs. −12.8; P < 0.001; effect size, 0.45), as well as all factor scores (P < 0.001 for each): positive symptoms (−8.4 vs. −6.0; effect size, 0.43), negative symptoms (−5.2 vs. −3.3; effect size, 0.33), disorganized thought (−4.9 vs. −2.8; effect size, 0.42), hostility/excitement (−2.7 vs. −1.6; effect size, 0.31), and depression/anxiety (−3.2 vs. −2.3; effect size, 0.31). Separation from placebo occurred at Week 1 for the positive symptoms, disorganized thought, and hostility/excitement factors and at Week 2 for the other factors.

Conclusions:

In this pooled analysis of short-term studies in patients with acute schizophrenia, lurasidone demonstrated significant improvement for each of the five PANSS factor scores, indicating effectiveness across the spectrum of schizophrenia symptoms.

Dopamine Receptor Partial Agonists for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic, disabling, and costly illness with frequent relapses and recurrences, high rates of co-morbid conditions, and poor adherence to treatment. Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are the cornerstones of treatment. Dopamine receptor partial agonists are a novel class of antipsychotic agents with original pharmacodynamic properties. Among them, two have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Aripiprazole (oral formulation) has been approved as monotherapy for the treatment of manic/mixed episodes in adult and pediatric populations and for maintenance treatment in adults, and as adjunctive treatment to mood stabilizers, for the acute treatment of manic/mixed episodes and for maintenance in adults. An intramuscular formulation of aripiprazole has been approved for the treatment of agitation in mania and a long-acting injectable formulation has been approved as maintenance treatment. In the USA, cariprazine has been approved as monotherapy for the acute treatment of manic/mixed as well as bipolar depressive episodes. Brexpiprazole is not yet approved to treat bipolar disorder. The evidence supporting these indications is reviewed via an analysis of clinical registration trials as well as additional studies, on the basis of a systematic literature search. Further studies dealing with other aspects of bipolar illness are also presented. Aripiprazole and cariprazine are efficacious and generally well tolerated agents that have shown cost effectiveness, and may therefore enrich our therapeutic armamentarium for bipolar illness. Brexpiprazole, which displays an overall promising tolerability profile, deserves further efficacy studies.

Risk Analysis of Lurasidone in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression

Lurasidone was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia, as well as for the treatment of bipolar depression. However, emerging reports have indicated various adverse drug reactions with the use of lurasidone. Thus, in this article, we have analyzed the risk profile of lurasidone in the established therapeutic indication. A total of 419 studies were published from October 2010-July 2019 regarding lurasidone. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 studies were selected for the analysis of risk. The adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of these studies were categorized as per the innovator summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Finally, the unlisted ADRs were analyzed by using the Naranjo probability algorithm. Telogen effluvium, thrombocytopenia, restless leg syndrome and hypersexuality were found with the use of lurasidone and fall under the unlisted category. The causality assessment has shown a probable correlation of lurasidone with hypersexuality, restless leg syndrome, thrombocytopenia and possible relation with telogen effluvium. In conclusion, lurasidone is a novel and efficacious pharmacological treatment for bipolar depression and schizophrenia. However, more data regarding the safety of this drug in a large population is needed.

Efficacy and safety of lurasidone versus placebo as adjunctive to mood stabilizers in bipolar I depression: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Few evidence-based treatments and guidelines reflect greater uncertainty regarding consensus treatment algorithms than those for unipolar disorder. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of lurasidone by comparing with placebo in bipolar I depression.

METHODS

Electronic databases, such as PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase, were searched until May 30, 2018, for randomized controlled trials on comparison lurasidone therapy with placebo. The primary efficacy assessment included MADRS total score and CGI-BP-S total score, the secondary efficacy assessment included the response and the remission rates and the safety and tolerability were also evaluated applying the Simpson-Angus Scale.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis compromised 7 studies. Efficacy analysis suggested that lurasidone was more effective than placebo: MADRS total score (MD:-4.31, 95%CI: (-6.93,-1.7), P = 0.001) and the CGI-BP-S total score (MD:-0.37, 95%CI: (-0.59,-0.15), P = 0.0008) were obtained for both lurasidone-treated and placebo groups. Response rates (RR: 1.73, 95%CI: (1.46, 2.05), P < 0.00001) and Remission rates (RR: 1.57, 95%CI: (1.38, 1.79), P < 0.00001). The safety analysis between lurasidone and placebo showed no difference: at least one event (RR: 1.12, 95% CI :(1.00, 1.26), p = 0.05 and the influence on glucose (MD: 0.35, 95% CI :(-1.09, 1.79), p = 0.63.

LIMITATION

The present conclusion is limited by the limited included studies. The different dose of lurasidone should be considered in the future.

CONCLUSION

Compared with placebo, adjunctive lurasidone significantly improved depressive symptoms and is very well tolerated with minimal side effects on the endocrine and cardiovascular systems in clinical patients with bipolar I depression. Key words: Bipolar I depression; Lurasidone; Meta-analysis; Remission rates; Adverse effect.

[German S3 guidelines on bipolar disorders-first update 2019 : What is new in pharmacotherapy?]

BACKGROUND

German S3 guidelines are subject to the highest methodological standards. This includes that they are only valid for a certain time period. Following the first edition in 2012 the first update of the S3 guidelines on bipolar disorder has now been published (2019).

OBJECTIVE

What has changed in the field of pharmacological recommendations comparing the first edition with the update in 2019?

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Comparison of the 1st edition from 2012 with the update from 2019 of the S3 guidelines for the diagnostics and treatment of bipolar disorders.

RESULTS

The three principle treatment targets of acute treatment of bipolar depression, acute treatment of mania and phase prophylaxis (maintenance treatment) can be distinguished. For acute treatment of bipolar depression, for the first time a medication has received a level A recommendation: quetiapine. For the acute treatment of mania, several drugs are still recommended with the same level of recommendation (B). Asenapine has been added as the tenth substance. Lithium is still the only drug with a level A recommendation for maintenance and prophylactic treatment and is also the only drug approved for this indication without restrictions. A new recommendation is that in the absence of contraindications, phase prophylaxis with a serum level of at least 0.6 mmol/l should be carried out. With a B recommendation, quetiapine has been added to the drugs for phase prophylactic treatment.

CONCLUSION

The S3 guidelines make recommendations at the highest scientific level. In view of these findings, lithium is clearly underutilized for maintenance therapy. In the absence of clear contraindications (advanced renal insufficiency), every patient with bipolar disease should be given the chance of lithium prophylaxis for an adequately long period.