Novel treatments in bipolar depression. A review of the last 5 years of research

Introduction. Bipolar disorder (BD) presents diagnostic and management challenges due to fluctuating episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression, often with additional affective symptoms. It impairs social and occupational functioning and is associated with high disability and mortality rates globally. Despite varying prevalence, recent studies indicate consistent occurrences across regions, complicating the management of bipolar depression. Current guidelines, such as those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), provide pharmacological interventions based on individual factors like prior treatment response. This study aims to assess recent advancements in pharmacological management of bipolar depression. Method. We aimed to identify relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses on bipolar depression treatment. Searches were conducted on ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, and the European Clinical Trials Register, focusing on studies published from January 2019 to January 2024. A total of 371 results were reviewed, with 8 RCTs selected based on their title and abstract. Results. Three studies meeting our criteria demonstrated efficacy in allevi