Figures & data
Table I. Key features of bipolar disorder
Table II. Factors to consider for selecting optimal long-term treatment
Figure 1. A simplified diagram of the most important pathways regulated by mood-stabilizing medications. Full lines indicate stimulatory and dotted lines inhibitory effects. A number of these pathways converge on regulatory proteins and transcription factors, which through fine-tuning of balance between pro- and antiapoptotic mechanisms regulate neurogenesis, cell survival, and resilience to damage through corticosteroids etc. The effects of available medications, however, affect these regulatory proteins/transcription factors indirectly, mostly through actions on release of neurotransmitters. Novel medications should interfere with these pathways further ‘downstream’.
