Medication for Bipolar Disorder - UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health

Mood stabilizers are usually prescribed to treat BPAD symptoms, and help prevent the “highs” (mania or hypomanic episodes) and “lows” (depressive episodes) associated with the disorder. Studies with lithium, a commonly used mood stabilizer, have shown that this drug may have complicated effects on neurotransmitters, receptors, chemical, and electrical events within the nerve cell. Other mood stabilizers work via a neurotransmitter called GABA to suppress electrical activity. These “GABAergic” medications are also used by neurologists as anti-seizure medications. While BPAD and seizure disorders are different illnesses, drugs used to treat seizures may correct some of the neurotransmitter problems associated with BPAD. People taking these medications should be closely monitored by a physician for possible side effects and complications, and to ensure that the medicine is being taken as prescribed.

For further information about medications used to treat BPAD, visit NIMH’s Bipolar Disorder guide:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/what-medications-are-used-to-treat-bipolar-disorder.shtml

References:
Gogtay N, et al. Dynamic mapping of cortical development before and after the onset of pediatric bipolar illness. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;48(9):852-862.

National Institutes of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder. NIH Publication No. 09-3679. Revised 2008. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

National Institutes of Mental Health. Mental Health Medications. NIH Publication No. 08-3929. Revised 2008. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/index.shtml

Soares JC, Mann JJ. The functional neuroanatomy of mood disorders. J Psychiatr Res. 1997a Jul-Aug;31(4):393-432.

Soares JC, Mann JJ. The anatomy of mood disorders–review of structural neuroimaging studies. Biol Psychiatry. 1997b Jan 1;41(1):86-106.

Zubieta, JK et al. High vesicular monoamine transporter binding in asymptomatic bipolar I disorder: sex differences and cognitive correlates. Am J Psychiatry. 2000 Oct;157(10):1619-28.