Efficacy of Combined Treatment for Young Bipolar I Disorder

Efficacy and Tolerability of the Combination of LIthium and CArbamazepine Compared to Lithium and VALproic Acid in the Treatment of Young Bipolar Patients

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of the combination of lithium and carbamazepine compared with lithium and valproate treating young bipolar patients.

After the diagnostic assessments, the patients are allocated for one of the following groups of treatment:

Group I: lithium + valproic acid

Group II: lithium + carbamazepine

Patients will be followed up for 8 weeks in phase I (acute treatment), 6 months in phase II (continuation treatment) and 12 months in phase III (maintenance treatment). Scales raters will be blind to the treatment.

During phase II and III will continue only patients that achieve response, measured according to initial symptoms score in phase I.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, type I, in current episode (manic/hypomanic, mixed or depression)
• The patient or his (her) legal representative should understand the nature of the study and sign the Informed Consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Mental retardation
• Unstable clinical diseases