TY - JOUR
T1 - Mood-stabilizing drugs
T2 - Mechanisms of action
AU - Schloesser, Robert J.
AU - Martinowich, Keri
AU - Manji, Husseini K.
N1 - Funding Information:
Support was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program. The figures and illustrations were designed and created by Anne K. Schlösser.
PY - 2012/1
Y1 - 2012/1
N2 - Mood-stabilizing drugs are the most widely prescribed pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder, a disease characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Despite extensive clinical utilization, significant questions concerning their mechanisms of action remain. In recent years, a diverse set of molecular and cellular targets of these drugs has been identified. Based on these findings, downstream effects on neural and synaptic plasticity within key circuits have been proposed. Here, we discuss recent data, identify current challenges impeding progress and define areas for future investigation. Further understanding of the primary targets and downstream levels of convergence of mood-stabilizing drugs will guide development of novel therapeutic strategies and help translate discoveries into more effective treatments with less burdensome adverse-effect profiles.
AB - Mood-stabilizing drugs are the most widely prescribed pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder, a disease characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Despite extensive clinical utilization, significant questions concerning their mechanisms of action remain. In recent years, a diverse set of molecular and cellular targets of these drugs has been identified. Based on these findings, downstream effects on neural and synaptic plasticity within key circuits have been proposed. Here, we discuss recent data, identify current challenges impeding progress and define areas for future investigation. Further understanding of the primary targets and downstream levels of convergence of mood-stabilizing drugs will guide development of novel therapeutic strategies and help translate discoveries into more effective treatments with less burdensome adverse-effect profiles.
KW - Bipolar disorder
KW - Lithium
KW - Mania
KW - Mood-stabilizing drugs
KW - Neurotrophic factors
KW - Synaptic plasticity
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U2 - 10.1016/j.tins.2011.11.009
DO - 10.1016/j.tins.2011.11.009
M3 - Review article
C2 - 22217451
AN - SCOPUS:84855337066
VL - 35
SP - 36
EP - 46
JO - Trends in Neurosciences
JF - Trends in Neurosciences
SN - 0378-5912
IS - 1
ER -