Drug for Bipolar Depression Treatment

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Bipolar disorder depression is associated with high suicide rates. An antipsychotic drug called quetiapine (Seroquel) can reduce suicidal thinking in patients with the disorder, according to data presented at the American Psychiatry Association meeting in Atlanta.

Between 3 percent and 4 percent of the world's population suffers from bipolar disorder. The illness causes dramatic mood swings -- from euphoria to depression. Often there are periods of balanced mood between depressive and manic episodes. A high number of people suffering from the disorder will attempt suicide. Some studies have shown the rate to be as high as 50 percent of people with symptoms of bipolar disorder attempting suicide.

Seroquel was tested for efficacy in an eight-week study. Researchers from University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve School of Medicine studied 542 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Results show Seroquel is nearly twice as effective in reducing suicidal thoughts as placebo. Additionally, study subjects taking Seroquel displayed a significant improvement in anxiety symptoms.

Researchers also found that patients were more likely to adhere to a prescribed regimen of Seroquel than to other antipsychotic medications.

Seroquel is FDA-approved for treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder but not for treatment of bipolar depression. The medication is also used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Seroquel is manufactured by AstraZeneca.

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SOURCE: The American Psychiatry Association meeting in Atlanta, May 21-26, 2005