Bipolar Disorder (BD)

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Review clinical trials related to Bipolar Disorder (BD). Use filters to narrow results by trial status, phase, treatment, biological sex and sponsor.

Condition / disease
Location
Status: Not yet recruiting

Pramipexole vs Placebo Treatment in Bipolar Disorder With Anhedonic Depression

Among psychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder stands out due to its alarmingly high suicide rates. This condition presents unique management challenges, especially during its depressive phase, which carries the highest risk of suicide. B-HAPPI is an academic randomized controlled trial to evaluate a new medication for bipolar depression. It will investigate the efficacy and safety of pramipexole, a potent dopamine agonist that has demonstrated significant effectiveness in bipolar disorder in preliminary studies, showing large effect sizes. * Population: 126 patients with bipolar depression * Intervention: Pramipexole added to ongoing treatment with mood stabilizer, flexible dosing - target dose 2.1 mg/day * Control: Add-on identical placebo * Outcomes: Primary outcome is change in anhedonia symptoms between baseline and 6 weeks of intervention. Key secondary outcomes include (for example) general depression symptoms and safety measures. There will be a 15 weeks open label follow up. If shown to be effective and safe, this intervention could become a key treatment option for bipolar depression, reducing suffering and potentially lowering suicide risk.

Participants needed: 126
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 18-80Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Daniel LindqvistUpdated: Jul 1, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

The participant has given their written consent to participate in the trial. [+7]

Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planned pregnancy (if female). See also section 8.6... [+16]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Neuromodulation of Mood Switch Circuitry in Bipolar Disorder

This study is exploring a new approach to treating depression in people with bipolar disorder (BD). Investigators are testing whether a non-invasive form of brain stimulation can help us understand depressed-to-euthymic mood shifts and their related brain circuits in BD. Investigators in this study will use a technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS. It uses non-invasive magnetic pulses delivered to the scalp to stimulate specific areas of the brain. rTMS is already used to treat depression, and investigators are now studying whether it can be made even more effective for people with bipolar disorder by precisely targeting an individualized brain region for each participant. Participants in this study will receive two courses of rTMS, one active and one placebo (called "sham"), in a randomized order so investigators can directly compare the effects. Before treatment, investigators will use brain scans (MRI) to create a personalized map of each participant's brain activity. This lets investigators identify the exact stimulation target most likely to influence the brain circuits involved in BD mood shifts. Investigators will track mood symptoms closely throughout the study to measure what changes. Investigators believe that depression in BD is partly driven by disrupted communication between two brain regions involved in processing what feels important or rewarding. Investigators want to find out whether rTMS can restore that communication and whether doing so leads to measurable improvements in depression.

Participants needed: 62
Trial details
Phase: Phase 4Age: 18-70Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell UniversityUpdated: Jul 2, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Provision of signed and dated informed consent form. [+8]

Imminent risk of suicide. [+9]

Status: Recruiting

Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder

This study aims to explore a novel conceptualization of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as a "Relationship Use Disorder." The research proposes that BPD shares key features with behavioral addictions, specifically addiction to interpersonal relationships. The study builds upon previous findings suggesting that individuals with BPD experience intense emotional dysregulation, including negative self-perception, shame, and a compulsive need for external validation. This addiction to relationships, much like substance use disorders, is thought to contribute significantly to the difficulties faced by these individuals, including interpersonal conflicts, self-destructive behaviors, and emotional instability. The study seeks to demonstrate that the relational difficulties central to BPD meet the diagnostic criteria for addiction as defined by the DSM-5. It will also explore how these relational struggles are mediated by dysfunctional self-perception and whether they are linked to behaviors such as compulsive sexual behaviors (CSBD) or suicidal tendencies. Additionally, the research will investigate the relationship between addiction to relationships and neurobiological factors, including endorphin levels, in individuals with BPD compared to those with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. The hypothesis is that individuals with BPD will exhibit higher levels of relationship addiction, with this addiction being tied to their perception of self-worth and emotional experiences in relationships. This innovative approach aims to refine the understanding of BPD, reduce stigma, and improve treatment strategies by providing scientific evidence supporting the conceptualization of BPD as a "Relationship Use Disorder."

Participants needed: 194
Trial details
Age: 18-45Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University Hospital, MontpellierUpdated: Jun 22, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

General : aged 18-45 [+3]

Psychotic disorders (evaluated by SCID) [+10]

Status: Recruiting

Time Restricted Eating (TRE) in Bipolar Disorder

This is a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of an 8-TRE intervention compared to a wait list (control) on metabolic health and body composition in people diagnosed with BD and who are currently obese and at least mildly depressed. Following a 1-week baseline assessment, participants will be randomized to either a TRE or the wait list (1-to-1 ratio) for 8 weeks. At baseline, Week 8 (post treatment), and Week 20 (follow-up), investigators will assess daily eating patterns for one week, followed by collection of fasting lipids, body weight and vital signs. At Week 4 (i.e., mid-treatment), the investigators will assess self-reported outcomes only. Participants assigned to the wait list condition will have the option of receiving the TRE intervention after 20 weeks.

Participants needed: 40
Trial details
Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Massachusetts General HospitalUpdated: Jun 15, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Adults (aged 18-65 years) [+4]

Diagnosis, or strong clinical suspicion, of eating disorders, including but not... [+15]

Status: Recruiting

Flumazenil for Benzodiazepine Reversal in Electroconvulsive Therapy

The goal of this study is to investigate whether administering flumazenil to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines and/or zopiclone during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can help reduce cognitive side effects without diminishing treatment effectiveness in hospitalized patients with depression. The investigators hypothesize that blockade of the GABA receptor with flumazenil will reduce cognitive side effects through improved seizures and a reduced need for electrical charge escalation during the ECT series. Cognitive side effects will be measured by the total score on the Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) (primary outcome) at follow-up after completion of the ECT series. Furthermore, it is expected that the flumazenil strategy will reduce pre-treatment anxiety and improve patient satisfaction (secondary outcomes). In addition, flumazenil strategy is hypothesized to have beneficial effects on subjective cognitive complaints, autobiographical memory, and executive functioning (secondary outcomes). Finally, the flumazenil strategy is expected to be associated with more favorable structural and functional changes in executive functioning and memory-related brain networks after completion of the ECT series, which may, in turn, be linked to better overall cognition and autobiographical memory (secondary outcome measures). For exploratory purposes, the study will also examine longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms and cognitive outcomes from baseline to follow-up (tertiary outcomes). Investigators will compare two different pre-ECT benzodiazepine management strategies: 1. Flumazenil strategy (experimental): continued benzodiazepine and/or zopiclone use up until the time of the ECT session, followed by administration of flumazenil immediately prior to ECT 2. Benzodiazepine withholding strategy (treatment as usual): discontinuation of benzodiazepines and/or zopiclone prior to the ECT in accordance with standard clinical practice

Participants needed: 145
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Anders JørgensenUpdated: Jun 1, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Current depressive episode (unipolar or bipolar), corresponding to ICD-10 codes... [+3]

Involuntary treatment with ECT [+6]

Status: Recruiting

FOCUS Bipolar: Families Opening Conversations for Understanding Signs

Bipolar disorder often runs in families, but early symptoms in youth can go unrecognized for years. This project evaluates a structured, family-centered approach to informed screening for youth ages 7-21 who have a biological parent with bipolar disorder. The main questions addressed by this project are: Whether a co-designed video decision aid improves caregiver understanding of bipolar disorder genetic risk and supports informed decisions about youth screening. Whether remote mental health screening tools are feasible and acceptable for youth with familial risk for bipolar disorder. Whether screening results can be used to identify early risk patterns and inform tailored follow-up recommendations. Participants may be involved in one or more study activities, including co-design of educational decision-aid content, feedback on decision-aid prototypes, beta testing of the decision aid, and remote youth mental health screening. The study does not assign treatment and does not change existing clinical care or clinic routines.

Participants needed: 200
Trial details
Age: 7+Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUpdated: Jun 3, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 years or older. [+22]

Status: Recruiting

Research on the Efficacy and Safety of Targeted Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Electrical Stimulation for Improving Metabolic Disorders in Patients With Stable Bipolar Disorder Comorbid With Obesity

This study aims to stabilize the patients with bipolar disorder (BD) comorbid with obesity in the stable phase by using temporal interference stimulation (TIS ) intervention. It intends to investigate the changes in key metabolic molecules such as GLP-1 circadian rhythm, and further explore the molecular mechanism of their metabolic disorders.

Participants needed: 70
Trial details
Age: 18-45Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang UniversityUpdated: May 27, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Both biological parents are of Han ethnicity; [+5]

Individuals with other DSM-5 spectrum disorders; [+6]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Personalized Pharmaco-Lifestyle Interventions for Severe Mental Illnesses (LIFETRAIN)

This randomized, rater-blind, multicenter clinical trial will evaluate whether a personalized pharmaco-lifestyle intervention improves mental functioning in adults with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder. Participants will be randomized to either a modular individualized intervention program or a structured psychoeducation control condition. The individualized intervention may include physical exercise, an anti-inflammatory diet, sleep intervention, social prescribing, semaglutide for eligible participants with overweight or obesity, and optional closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation for participants with prominent depressive symptoms. The primary outcome is change in the SF-36 Mental Component Summary score from baseline to Month 3.

Participants needed: 140
Trial details
Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Ludwig-Maximilians - University of MunichUpdated: May 14, 2026Locations: 5
Eligibility criteria

Age 18 to 65 years [+10]

Unable to provide informed consent [+14]

Status: Recruiting

An Exploratory Study on the Prediction of Recurrence Risk of Bipolar Disorder Using Sentiment Analysis Technology Based on Multi-modal Feature Fusion

Bipolar disorder (BD) has become a significant public health problem with complex clinical manifestations, difficult treatment, and poor prognosis. However, there is still a lack of effective biological markers for diagnosing and predicting recurrence. Sentiment analysis computing usually refers to using machine equipment to classify, identify, interpret, and imitate human emotions. However, current multi-modal emotion analysis research is mainly based on one or two modalities. Due to the diversity and complexity of patients' emotional expressions, this single- and dual-modal information analysis is far from enough for accurate discrimination of emotional symptoms. Only emotion analysis technology based on multi-modal feature fusion can make more precise and effective judgments. The current project is based on our previous research on cognitive neuroimaging and big data analysis of bipolar disorder. The investigators plan to enroll 200 BD patients who meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and 200 healthy controls. The investigators will use sentiment analysis technology with multi-modal feature fusion (text data, audio and visual modalities, eye movements, and electrophysiology) to identify BD recurrence. Biological markers for risk prediction and an algorithm model for joint judgment of multi-source information will be established to analyze the characterization data. The effectiveness of this recurrence prediction model will be further verified and optimized through a large-sample, prospective cohort study design. It is hoped that it can provide a new method for predicting the recurrence risk of BD patients. In the near future, clinical decision-making aids based on this auxiliary method can be developed, and the translational application value of clinical diagnosis and treatment can be explored.

Participants needed: 400
Trial details
Age: 18-64Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Shanghai Mental Health CenterUpdated: May 7, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Patients who have previously met or currently meet the diagnostic criteria for b... [+4]

The presence of intellectual disability or other conditions that significantly a... [+8]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Ketamine With Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for Suicidality in Individuals With Treatment-Resistant Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder (KET-DBT)

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if intravenous (IV) ketamine with Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) reduces suicidal ideation in individuals with suicidality who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder. The main question it aims to answer is: Does IV ketamine and DBT produce more rapid and robust improvements in suicidal ideation (SI) severity between baseline and Day 35 compared to IV midazolam and DBT, as measured by changes in the Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation (MSSI) scores ? Researchers will compare six IV ketamine infusions and DBT to an active placebo (a look-alike substance that mimics some of ketamine's effects and not others) and DBT to see if IV ketamine with DBT is more effective at reducing SI severity. Participants will: * Complete six infusions of either IV ketamine or IV midazolam * Take part in 6 months of DBT (includes both weekly one-on-one sessions, and group sessions, starting week 5 of the trial) * Visit the hospital for scheduled in-person visits * Join a call or videocall for scheduled remote visits * Complete a variety of different mood, cognitive and behavioral assessments

Participants needed: 120
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18-70Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Joshua RosenblatUpdated: May 6, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Adults between the age of 18 to 70, inclusive; [+5]

Past or current history of a psychotic disorder as determined by clinical assess... [+9]

Status: Recruiting

A Study of Home-use Brain Stimulation to Treat Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is a long-lasting and disabling condition, and many people continue to experience depressive symptoms despite standard treatments. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that uses a very small electrical current applied through the scalp and has shown promise as a treatment for depression. This study aims to find out whether a home-based tDCS device is effective and safe in reducing symptoms of bipolar depression when compared with a placebo (sham) treatment. The study will also look at how acceptable the treatment is to participants and how well people are able to use the device at home. Who can participate? Adult patients aged 18 years and over who have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and are currently experiencing a depressive episode. What does the study involve? Participants must meet specific eligibility criteria, which will be assessed by the research team. People who do not meet the study criteria or for whom tDCS is not suitable will not be able to take part. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active tDCS or a placebo (sham) treatment. Neither the participant nor the researchers assessing outcomes will know which treatment has been assigned. Participants will use a study device at home over a defined treatment period and will complete a series of assessments at set time points. These include clinician-rated interviews and self-reported questionnaires about mood and well-being. Device use and adherence data will be collected electronically. Participants will also be monitored for any side effects throughout their involvement in the study. Although the study is multi-site, participation is primarily remote, with most study activities completed from the participant's home. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Participants may experience an improvement in depressive symptoms. Information gained from this study may help improve future treatments for bipolar depression. tDCS is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include mild and temporary sensations such as tingling, itching, headache, or skin irritation at the electrode sites. All participants will be monitored for adverse events, and appropriate support will be available if needed. Where is the study run from? The study is run from King's College London in collaboration with NHS research sites across the UK. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? April 2026 to October 2027 Who is funding the study? The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UK. Who is the main contact? Professor Cynthia Fu, the Chief Investigator at King's College London, [email protected]

Participants needed: 212
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: King's College LondonUpdated: Apr 29, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Adults aged 18 years or over. [+7]

Significant suicide risk as measured by answering 'yes' to questions 4, 5 or 6 o... [+15]

Status: Recruiting

Child Bipolar Network Ketogenic Diet Approach to Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents

The present study is an open trial of ketogenic diets for adolescents and young adults (ages 12-21 yrs) in the depressive or mixed phases of bipolar disorder (BD). The investigators aim to determine whether combining standard of care pharmacological treatment for bipolar spectrum disorders with a 16-week ketogenic diet is well-tolerated and associated with improvements in depression, inflammatory and metabolic indicators, and executive functioning over the study period. The experimental treatment in this study is a 16-week full ketogenic diet. Four study sites (UCLA, U Cincinnati, U Colorado and U Pittsburgh) will recruit 80 total youth (20 each) from bipolar specialty clinics. All youth eligible for the ketogenic therapy will be provided with the ketogenic diet and standard of care pharmacological treatment. During the diet therapy youth will be seen by a study child/adolescent psychiatrist at least once a month (and more frequently when needed), with the psychiatrist recommending and providing side effects monitoring and pharmacotherapy as clinically indicated. The youth and caregivers will also meet with an expert dietitian who will coach all youth on maintaining the ketogenic diet (low carbs, high fats, medium protein) and making sure the child is tolerating the diet and getting enough liquid and nutrients, following the practice guidelines of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group for treating youth. All youth and involved caregivers will also be provided will at least one motivational enhancement session to support them in goal setting and completion of the study elements. Throughout the study the investigators will assess metabolic (e.g., blood ketones, HOMA-IR) and inflammatory indicators (e.g., C-reactive protein), both for safety reasons and to assess correlates of symptomatic change. Independent evaluators will assess youth every month regarding their symptoms (depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis), psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. The investigators anticipate that the pilot will transpire over 24 months and be an important step toward establishing feasibility and acceptability of ketogenic therapy for this population, not only in terms of diet administration and compliance but also for obtaining symptomatic, metabolic and inflammatory measurements.

Participants needed: 80
Trial details
Age: 12-21Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of California, Los AngelesUpdated: Apr 22, 2026Locations: 4
Eligibility criteria

Youth must be ages 12 to 21 years old and speak English [+7]

pregnancy or breastfeeding [+17]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Bipolar Depression

This study the effectiveness and safety of light therapy device targeted at the brain using a wearable device, the Vielight RX Gamma as a treatment for bipolar depression. Up to forty patients with bipolar disorder will be enrolled into the study and will either receive active treatment with the Vielight RX Gamma or sham (inactive device). They will be administered the devices in clinic 5days/week for 6 weeks. Changes in disease symptoms, cognitive function, pain, quality of life and rest EEG changes will be assessed.

Participants needed: 40
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Vielight Inc.Updated: Apr 3, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

• Diagnosis of bipolar depression [+4]

Currently in manic or mixed episode, as measured by Young Mania Rating Scale (YM... [+8]

Status: Recruiting

PROgram To Enhance Cardiovascular Risk Trough an Intervention of Nutrition in Bipolar Disorder

Individuals with Bipolar Disorder (BD) have twice the risk of being affected by metabolic comorbidities and a 1.8-fold increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases when compared to the general population. These factors are fundamental in the 14-year reduction in the life expectancy of people with TB reported in recent meta-analyses. This occurs mainly due to the increased inflammation associated with the disease, the adverse effects of pharmacological treatments and unhealthy lifestyle habits that are more common in people diagnosed with BD. Nutrition has been studied as an adjunctive treatment in other psychiatric disorders, but there is a lack of studies about the role of nutrition in TB. Considering that diet can impact metabolic health, this randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention on cardiovascular risk in patients with TB. The intervention is based on the dietary pattern recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population and will be applied by a registered dietitian. According to the literature, the sample size will be 72 individuals with TB (36 in the control group with usual treatment + 36 in the intervention group added to the usual treatment). The intervention will be carried out in 7 individual sessions and 8 group sessions with specific themes. The primary aim of this protocol will be an intervention to contribute to cardiovascular health - verified by serum markers, anthropometric measurements and the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score (algorithm used to estimate an individual's 10-year cardiovascular risk). The secondary stages will be the adherence of the intervention and the impact on the quality of life of the participants. The possible positive results of this nutritional intervention can open new clinical perspectives. Meaning that might show that better food choices can protect the cardiovascular health of individuals with TB, leading to a reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

Participants needed: 88
Trial details
Age: 18-60Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of Sao PauloUpdated: Mar 2, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Clinical diagnosis of Bipolar disorder types I and II diagnosis [+3]

Patients with "very good or excellent" diet quality assessed by the diet quality... [+7]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Medication Adherence in Severe Mental Illness: a Promotion Program

People living with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often need long-term medication to stay well. However, many patients have difficulty taking medication regularly, which can increase the risk of relapse, hospitalization, and poorer quality of life. Traditionally, treatment adherence has been measured using self-report questionnaires, which may be influenced by memory or social desirability bias. With the recent expansion of electronic prescription systems in Spain, it is now possible to objectively verify whether patients collect their medications from the pharmacy. This provides a new opportunity to better understand and support treatment adherence. The ADHERA study will evaluate how well digital self-report questionnaires reflect real medication use compared with electronic dispensing records. We will also explore patient characteristics that may be associated with difficulties in medication adherence. Finally, we will test a new online psychoeducational program-including sessions led by mental health professionals and supported by peer-experience contributors-to determine whether it can help improve adherence. Participants with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who are registered in the hospital's digital patient portal and have active antipsychotic prescriptions will be invited to complete brief adherence questionnaires online. Individuals with signs of reduced adherence will then be invited to take part in a telehealth intervention consisting of ten group sessions, where they will receive information, support, and practical strategies to maintain their treatment plan. Medication adherence will be reassessed after six months. If successful, this study may help improve how treatment adherence is measured in clinical practice, guide targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk of non-adherence, and provide evidence for scalable telehealth programs that can be easily implemented in other regions and medical conditions

Participants needed: 1,640
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez DíazUpdated: Mar 3, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Diagnosis established using ICD-11 clinical criteria [15]. [+3]

Aged under 18 years old. [+3]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Psychobiological Markers to Improve Diagnosis and to Predict Affective Episodes in Bipolar Disorder

This trial has two studies. In study 1, the investigators will explore the relationships between three psychobiological factors (sleep patterns, motor activity, and decision-making ability). The investigators aim to investigate how these factors interact in BD patients. This understanding will facilitate the distinction of BD patients from patients with recurrent depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. In study 2, the investigators will continue following patients with bipolar disorder and use the interplay between the three psychobiological factors to develop early markers of full-blown affective episodes.

Participants needed: 600
Trial details
Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Karolinska InstitutetUpdated: Feb 23, 2026Duration: 12 Weeks
Eligibility criteria

Participants must be capable of giving informed consent. [+8]

Active substance abuse or dependence (alcohol or other substances). [+6]

Status: Not yet recruiting

TMS for Improving Cognitive Function in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a highly disabling psychiatric illness, and cognitive impairment is common in patients with bipolar depression as well as during remission, contributing substantially to functional disability and poorer prognosis. Currently, effective interventions specifically targeting cognitive deficits remain limited, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, a noninvasive neuromodulation technique, has shown potential benefits for depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning. Based on structural and functional neuroimaging evidence, this study proposes an individualized intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol targeting the primary visual cortex (V1) and its functional pathway to the hippocampus, combined with online cognitive training. This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial will enroll 88 patients with bipolar disorder in remission phase and allocate them to active or sham stimulation. The intervention will be delivered over 5 days, with follow-up assessments through 6 weeks. The primary outcome is change in cognitive performance as measured by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Secondary outcomes include changes in clinical symptom ratings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers, and the incidence of adverse events. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this targeted intervention and to provide evidence for precision treatment approaches to cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder.

Participants needed: 88
Trial details
Age: 18-45Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang UniversityUpdated: Feb 17, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Not listed

Status: Recruiting

Epigenetic Enhancement of Cognitive Training in Aging Mood Disorder Populations

The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of a three-week virtual reality-based cognitive remediation training (VR-CRT) programme in combination with daily intake of a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) sodium butyrate on cognition in symptomatically stable patients with mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorder). The investigators hypothesize that the VR-based cognitive remediation training (VR-CRT) combined with HDACi butyrate vs. a VR-based control treatment combined with placebo will improve global cognition (primary outcome measure) over three weeks. Secondly, the investigators hypothesize that VR-CRT with placebo will improve cognition relative to the VR control treatment with placebo, although to a lesser extent than VR-CRT with HDACi butyrate. Thirdly, the investigators hypothesize that the HDACi butyrate with VR control treatment will not produce cognitive improvements relative to placebo with VR control treatment. Finally, the investigators hypothesize that the combined treatment (VR-CRT + HDACi butyrate) will enhance neuroplasticity (exploratory outcome) vs. VR control with placebo, as indicated by increase in hippocampal volume and/or memory-related activity shown with structural and functional MRI.

Participants needed: 160
Trial details
Age: 40-75Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg HospitalUpdated: Feb 11, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Confirmed ICD-10 diagnosis of BD or recurrent UD in partial, or full remission (... [+2]

Diagnosis of schizophrenia [+16]

Status: Recruiting

Adaptation and Validation of the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS-6) to Romanian

The HPS-6 (Hypomanic Personality Scale, 6 item version) could prove to be a valuable candidate for screening measures of high risk individuals. In the following study, we aim to validate and adapt the HPS-6 for the Romanian population.

Participants needed: 50
Trial details
Phase: Phase 1, Phase 2Age: 18-50Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Babes-Bolyai UniversityUpdated: Feb 10, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

18-50 years of age [+4]

High risk of suicide (current) [+1]

Status: Recruiting

Multimodal Intervention to Support Hospital-to-Community Transition in Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder (BD) are at high risk of relapse following hospital discharge, partly due to a lack of BD-specific expertise and resources within community services required for comprehensive treatment. Although clinical guidelines recommend combining medication and psychosocial support, and research shows that early intervention is associated with improved outcomes, no structured care programs currently exist for individuals in the early stages of BD, contributing to chronic illness progression and preventable hospitalizations. This open-label pilot trial will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a structured care pathway to support the transition from hospital to community care. The intervention includes group-based psychoeducation, individual peer support, and personalized support for community healthcare providers to improve illness insight, treatment adherence, and symptom management.

Participants needed: 10
Trial details
Age: 18-35Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: McMaster UniversityUpdated: Jan 14, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age: Patient-participants must be between 18 and 35 years old. [+3]

Severe Psychiatric Conditions: Individuals with a severe psychiatric condition t... [+4]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Anticipating Depressive and Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorders Using Vocal Biomarkers

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, cyclical mental illness affecting over 1% of the global population. It is characterized by alternating episodes of elevated mood and energy (mania or hypomania) and episodes of decreased mood and energy (depression). Manic episodes involve hyperactivity, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, accelerated speech, and sometimes psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Depressive episodes, in contrast, are characterized by sadness, low energy, social withdrawal, sleep and appetite disturbances, and low self-esteem. Bipolar patients are at very high risk of suicide, with rates up to 20 times higher than in the general population; nearly half will attempt suicide during their lifetime, and 15-20% of these attempts are fatal. BD is associated with a substantial decrease in quality of life, often greater than that seen in other mood or anxiety disorders. This reduction is primarily driven by depressive symptoms, including residual ones that may persist during remission periods. The frequent comorbidity with anxiety disorders further exacerbates the burden of the illness. Recently, research has turned toward the concept of the digital phenotype to identify early markers of relapse using passive and continuous monitoring. Among potential digital biomarkers, voice has shown particular promise. Automated speech analysis, combined with machine learning algorithms, has demonstrated effectiveness in detecting psychiatric symptoms and differentiating mood states. In BD, vocal and linguistic patterns vary with mood fluctuations, suggesting that voice could serve as a sensitive indicator of relapse risk. The main hypothesis of the present study is that automated analysis of speech and lifestyle data can help develop a predictive model capable of identifying early signs of relapse, whether manic, depressive, or mixed, or transitions to high-risk states in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Participants needed: 170
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Centre Hospitalier St AnneUpdated: Dec 23, 2025
Eligibility criteria

Adult patient [+7]

Patient with a cognitive disorder [+7]

Status: Recruiting

Characterization of High-Level Cognitive Impairments in Patients With Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Neuropsychiatric disorders are extremely common, severe, and disabling conditions. In the field of psychiatry, they notably include schizophrenia, mood disorders (depressive and bipolar disorders), autism spectrum or neurodevelopmental disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and personality disorders. In the field of neurology, one can cite neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease, but also frontotemporal dementia or Parkinson's disease, which often represent frequent and challenging differential diagnoses of psychiatric disorders), focal neurological lesions (notably strokes and tumors), or epilepsy. Cognitive impairments are present in nearly all neuropsychiatric disorders and contribute significantly to disability. While impairments in working memory and attention, executive functions, and social cognition have been relatively well studied, other cognitive domains remain largely unexplored in these populations. This is particularly the case for various aspects of motivation, metacognition, conscious access, or causal (Bayesian) inference. Although these domains likely play an important role in prognosis, no consensus currently exists regarding the methods for evaluating these functions. The main objective of this study is to define a multidimensional, transdiagnostic atlas of high-level cognitive impairments-both specific and shared-across severe psychiatric disorders (notably schizophrenia, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum or neurodevelopmental disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) and neurological disorders (notably neurodegenerative diseases, focal neurological lesions, and epilepsy), by comparing them to healthy volunteers. The investigators also aim to investigate the progression of cognitive impairments over time, across different phases of illness (symptom stabilization or exacerbation) or therapeutic intervention, through longitudinal follow-up of patients being monitored within the recruiting center. Finally, in a more exploratory manner, the investigators aim to investigate the neural correlates of the identified cognitive impairments.

Participants needed: 600
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Centre Hospitalier St AnneUpdated: Dec 19, 2025Locations: 3
Eligibility criteria

Aged over 18 years [+6]

Current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder according to ICD-10 (F20-F98) or cur... [+6]

Status: Recruiting

Effects of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder on Exercise Capacity, Pulmonary Function, and Quality of Life

This observational study aims to evaluate exercise capacity, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These psychiatric conditions are associated with sedentary lifestyles, metabolic side effects of psychotropic medications, and increased comorbidity risks, all of which may negatively impact physical fitness and respiratory health. By assessing cardiorespiratory endurance, pulmonary parameters (FVC, FEV₁), and respiratory muscle strength in this population, the study seeks to identify physiological limitations and contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies. The findings may support multidisciplinary approaches to improving physical health and overall quality of life in individuals with severe mental illness.

Participants needed: 150
Trial details
Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Çankırı Karatekin UniversityUpdated: Dec 29, 2025Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Being volunteer for participation [+1]

Having any respiratory, cardiac, neurologic or orthopedic disease which may affe... [+1]

Status: Recruiting

Multimodal Phenotyping in Adolescent Inpatient Depression: An Observational Study

This cohort study involves the dynamic collection of clinical information from adolescent patients with major depressive episodes (including both major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder), encompassing serum parameters, physiological-behavioral signals, neuroimaging data, and neuropsychological scales. The study aims to summarize the comprehensive clinical characteristics of this population, identify new risk factors, and establish multivariate predictive models for treatment response, cognitive and emotional impairments. Furthermore, this research will thoroughly investigate the underlying neural mechanisms linking clinical manifestations and neuroimaging features in major depressive episodes.

Participants needed: 1,000
Trial details
Age: 10-20Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Jiangsu Province Nanjing Brain HospitalUpdated: Nov 25, 2025Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Between 10 and 20 years of age; [+3]

Prior treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transc... [+8]

Status: Not yet recruiting

The PEDAL Intervention - Reducing Affective Lability in Bipolar Disorder

PEDAL is a group-based intervention for patients with bipolar disorder that builds on the traditional group psychoeducational program (GPP) by adding digital tools and specific strategies to help manage rapid fluctuations between affective states, known as affective lability. The program's goal is to help patients learn and develop new ways to better manage their condition, with particular attention to affective lability and other difficulties with affect regulation- challenges which are not typically addressed in current treatments. The PEDAL trial will run at five clinical sites around Oslo and Vestre Viken, aiming to recruit 120 participants with bipolar disorder. The program combines existing group sessions from GPP with new components: additional group sessions focusing on strategies for improving affect regulation such as mindfulness and distress tolerance, an online platform with all course materials including instructional videos and other resources, and an app-based mood diary. This framework maintains the benefits of regular group meetings while adding digital support tools to make the intervention more personalized and accessible. The main aim of PEDAL is to see if the new program reduces affective lability more effectively than GPP (treatment-as-usual; TAU), and both intervention groups will be compared on the level of affective lability before and after the intervention. Several secondary outcomes like mood symptoms, suicidal thoughts, perceived stress, and quality of life will also be assessed. In terms of study design, all study sites will run the PEDAL and TAU groups in parallel, and participants will be randomly assigned to either PEDAL or TAU. To qualify for the study, participants must be aged 18-65, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, able to participate in a group intervention, capable of providing informed consent, and have a smartphone or computer. People who have previously completed group psychoeducation, who are unable to complete the study period due to pregnancy or other factors, or those who cannot use the required technology are excluded. In summary, PEDAL is a novel study that modernizes the existing group psychoeducational program for bipolar disorder by targeting affective lability through skills training and digital tools, while also evaluating its reception and effects in a controlled clinical trial.

Participants needed: 120
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Oslo University HospitalUpdated: Nov 25, 2025Locations: 4
Eligibility criteria

Bipolar I, II or not otherwise specified disorder [+3]

Previous participation in group psychoeducation for bipolar disorder [+1]