Neuruppin, 2 Dezember 2024
Bipolar disorders are severe mental disorders characterized by extreme mood swings alternating between manic and depressive phases. In the context of pharmacotherapy, all international guidelines consider lithium the gold standard for long-term treatment and prophylaxis of this heterogenous disorder, to effectively prevent manic as well as depressive episodes and significantly reduce the suicide risk, apart from mood-regulating properties. These various advantages notwithstanding, lithium therapy requires careful monitoring and good medical management, specifically with a view to possible internistic side effects like kidney or thyroid dysfunction, which, however, can be well controlled via regular monitoring and accurate dosage.
MHB research on lithium therapy and bipolar affective disorder
Simon Alexander Stiehl, medical student at the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) and part of a research team headed by Prof. Thomas Stamm, pursues a doctoral project in clinical psycho-pharmacology on lithium therapy for bipolar affective disorder, in collaboration with the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin. In a joint research project with Dr. David Saiger he explores the nephrotoxic long-term effects of treatment with lithium in a sizeable cohort of bipolar patients. The study also addresses the influence of lithium versus other mood-stabilizing medication - such as anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics or antidepressants – on the level of psychosocial functioning (FAST Assessment) and clinical therapy response (ALDA Scale).
One finding from the study is that long-term treatment with lithium may increase the risk to develop chronic renal insufficiency (CKD) whereby the effect is comparable to age-related annual decline of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). After lithium therapy over more than two decades, moderate impairment of renal function is frequent, whereas severe stages of renal insufficiency occur less often. Despite these risks, lithium still remains superior to other therapy options in the prevention of phases of bipolar disorder, in terms of efficiency and psychosocial functioning level. Therapy adjustments due to reduced kidney function should therefore be carried out with care and with a view to efficiency and the functioning level achieved. The decision should be made in interdisciplinary consultation, and affected patients should be given an active-participative say.
Annual DGBS meeting 2024: “25 years in trialogue”
The university hospital in Frankfurt/Main hosted the 23rd annual meeting of the DGBS (German Society for Bipolar Disorders) from 12 to 14 September 2024. “25 years in trialogue” was the motto of the event with a diverse program for experts, patients and families. One focus was on self-help; the format “Meet the Podcasters” offered insights into the world of podcasts produced by individuals with bipolar disorders. The opening part included a panel discussion with founding members of the society who looked back on 25 years and forward to future tasks and challenges.
Support for young scientists and poster awards
Internal research funding from the Faculty of Health Sciences and the MHB supported Simon A. Stiehl’s attendance of the Frankfurt meeting. A total of twelve projects on bipolar disorders pursued by various working group nationwide were presented and discussed during a poster session, where Stiehl’s project met with particular interest.
Six young researchers received poster awards for special contributions on the last day of the meeting. Winners were first authors whose posters stood out for scientific relevance, originality and presentation. Stiehl impressed the trialogue jury (consisting of affected patients, relatives and professionals) and the plenary meeting in the debate and was rewarded with a DGBS poster prize endowed with € 500. Donated by the Schröder family, the awards underline the intention of the DGBS to promote young ands upcoming researchers. For more information on the meeting see here. Over 350 participants made the meeting highly successful and clearly demonstrated a growing interest in bipolar disorders. The next meeting is scheduled to take place at the university hospital in Augsburg between 18 and 20 September 2025.
Further presentations to follow
The congress with nationwide participation was a lasting experience for the MHB doctoral candidate and his further scientific-academic career. He has already been invited to give a plenum presentation of his research at next year’s meeting in Augsburg, where the focus will be on “bipolar disorders and physical health”. He already gave an MHB-internal presentation at a symposium on aging-related topics. A publication of the cohort study will soon be available to the scientific community.
