Aripiprazole Treatment of Bipolar Depression

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) Male or female between 18 - 65 years of age, inclusive 2) Satisfy DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder depressed phase i.e.,duration of depression > 2 weeks) 3) No change in psychotropic medication or their doses within 2 weeks of inclusion in The study. 4) Inadequately responsive to or intolerant of prior pharmacotherapy as determined by the investigator 5) 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Score > 15 6) Young Mania Rating Scale (Young, et. al., 1978) (YMRS) < 10.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria: 1) History of or currently suffering from serious medical illness, or be on medication that may interact with aripiprazole 2) On any other neuroleptic e.g., olanzapine, risperidone, ziprasidone, haloperidol.

3) History of substance abuse within 3 months or substance dependence within 6 months of the study. 4) Pregnant or planning to be pregnant or not using adequate contraception. 5) Received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment in the past 1 year. 6) Significant suicide or homicide risk at the time of the study; 7) Not on any herbal or any other alternative pharmacological treatment. 8) Renal or hepatic dysfunction 9) History of decreased sweating or heat stroke.

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