A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Trial of Riluzole in Bipolar Depression

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2010-05-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry is conducting a research study to examine the effectiveness of riluzole in treating the depressed phase of bipolar disorder. This outpatient treatment study of medication or placebo will last 9-12 weeks. The study includes medical and psychiatric evaluations as well as time-limited medication treatment at no cost, and you will be compensated for your participation.

• Phase: Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
• Collaborator: Stanley Medical Research Institute
• Treatments: Riluzole

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18-75

• Diagnosed with Bipolar I or II disorder and currently depressed

• Tried at least one antidepressant during the current episode of depression

• Currently taking either lithium, depakote, or tegretol

• Currently in outpatient treatment with a psychiatrist

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current psychotic symptoms

• Women who are pregnant or nursing

• Any serious, uncontrolled medical illness

• History of liver problems

• Current or past blood diseases

• Current drug or alcohol abuse

• Currently receiving Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy (ECT)

• Judged to be at serious suicidal risk