July 9, 2007
Early Stage of New Bipolar Drug Production Shows Promise
Bipolar Disorder is currently treated with mood stabilizing drugs such as Lithium or Valproic Acid (Depakote). Some people have reported side effects with these medications, and when bipolar patients are prescribed an antipsychotic, side effects may be added. The development of a new drug that works as well as the current ones, but without the debilitating or uncomfortable side effects, may revolutionize quality of life for those living with bipolar disorder.
Current mood stabilizers act by blocking an enzyme, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Alan Kozikowski of the University of Illinois in Chicago and his co-workers decided to attempt a new drug that used compounds that blocked an enzyme similar to GSK-3. They hypothesized that if the compound could block a similar enzyme, it may have an effect on GSK-3.
After much testing, they found that the compound did in fact block GSK-3, similar to current mood stabilizers. After refining the compounds ability to block the GSK-3 and get into the brain with ease, they studied its effects on mice with "mania". The Journal of the American Chemical Society featured the mouse study and showed that,
In a mouse model of 'mania', hyperactive mice were calmed and moved around much less when given the new candidate drug.
It may be years before these research results become useful to patients.
The new compound looks promising, but a lot of work remains to be done before it will be ready for human trials. The next step is to make molecules that bind as selectively to GSK-3 as possible, he adds, so that they don't interfere with the action of other, similar enzymes.
New candidate drug for bipolar disorder: A designed alternative to lithium shows early promise. News@Nature.com
Read Full Article:
Structure-Based Design Leads to the Identification of Lithium Mimetics That Block Mania-like Effects in Rodents. Possible New GSK-3 Therapies for Bipolar Disorders. Alan P. Kozikowski, Irina N. Gaisina, Hongbin Yuan, Pavel A. Petukhov, Sylvie Y. Blond, Allison Fedolak, Barbara Caldarone, and Paul McGonigle. The Journal of the American Chemical Society
Posted by Michelle Roberts at July 9, 2007 12:17 PM
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Comments
i want to try the new medicine i am currently using lithium
Posted by: dorlene at August 4, 2007 4:58 PM
I have taken both medications. Depokote caused me to gain 30lbs and started to damage my liver. I am currently on Lithium and it is great besides the fact that it caused my thyroid to stop working and due to that I gain 50lbs. I am finally on thyroid medication which has caused rapid cycling, hair loss, severe dry skin, anxiety attacks and loss of energy. I have snapped at family friends and even co-workers, I am in desperate need to find something better.
Posted by: Jessica at August 7, 2007 11:11 AM
I have had it with side effects (eg. weight gain, hair loss, rapid cycling, etc.). I can't take antipsychotics and get up and go to work in the am. Bring on a new medication(s). I'm tired of being so irritable...
Posted by: Kay at August 11, 2007 8:53 AM
1952 lithum came about, come on guys,we are really suffering and have no quality of life. everything else in the world has moved forward,talk about being the forgotten race
Posted by: RHONDA-KELLEE at March 30, 2008 10:17 AM
I am on Lamictal 100mg at bedtime and it works great. During the winter months I get real bad depression so the Doctor prescribes me Adderall in addition to the Lamictal. I am able to get out of bed at least. I also take oxycontin 40mg twice a day for excrutiating pain related to herniated disks in cervical and lumbar spine. I know pain medicine helps with my depression. I have bipolar II. I never have full blown mania but just below that when I get it. For the most part I am depressed and anxious a lot. Anyway I wish a drug company would investigate a new drug for bipolar that works on the part of the brain that works on the pain center. If I had to choose one medication for my depression it would be the oxycontin hands down. If I didn't have the back problems I would probably be high as a kite but a lower dose or another pain medication might work on many people that suffer with bipolar/depression.
Posted by: Dolores at April 17, 2008 11:32 AM
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i want to try the new medicine i am currently using lithium
Posted by: dorlene at August 4, 2007 4:58 PM
I have taken both medications. Depokote caused me to gain 30lbs and started to damage my liver. I am currently on Lithium and it is great besides the fact that it caused my thyroid to stop working and due to that I gain 50lbs. I am finally on thyroid medication which has caused rapid cycling, hair loss, severe dry skin, anxiety attacks and loss of energy. I have snapped at family friends and even co-workers, I am in desperate need to find something better.
Posted by: Jessica at August 7, 2007 11:11 AM
I have had it with side effects (eg. weight gain, hair loss, rapid cycling, etc.). I can't take antipsychotics and get up and go to work in the am. Bring on a new medication(s). I'm tired of being so irritable...
Posted by: Kay at August 11, 2007 8:53 AM
1952 lithum came about, come on guys,we are really suffering and have no quality of life. everything else in the world has moved forward,talk about being the forgotten race
Posted by: RHONDA-KELLEE at March 30, 2008 10:17 AM
I am on Lamictal 100mg at bedtime and it works great. During the winter months I get real bad depression so the Doctor prescribes me Adderall in addition to the Lamictal. I am able to get out of bed at least. I also take oxycontin 40mg twice a day for excrutiating pain related to herniated disks in cervical and lumbar spine. I know pain medicine helps with my depression. I have bipolar II. I never have full blown mania but just below that when I get it. For the most part I am depressed and anxious a lot. Anyway I wish a drug company would investigate a new drug for bipolar that works on the part of the brain that works on the pain center. If I had to choose one medication for my depression it would be the oxycontin hands down. If I didn't have the back problems I would probably be high as a kite but a lower dose or another pain medication might work on many people that suffer with bipolar/depression.
Posted by: Dolores at April 17, 2008 11:32 AM