Out of the Dark, Into the Light: Illuminating Modern Strategies for the Detection and Treatment of Bipolar Depression
Overview
Depression is the predominant presentation of bipolar disorder (BD), but it is easy to misdiagnose these patients with other psychiatric conditions if manic symptoms are not evident. Once an accurate BD diagnosis is obtained, there is then a complicated algorithm for pharmacotherapeutic management of depressive episodes. To help navigate diagnostic and management strategies for BD depression, this virtual adaptation of a traditional Grand Rounds brings experts straight to the clinical teams that manage these patients.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and long-term management of patients with bipolar disorder.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Discuss preferred approaches to and indicators for BD depression as well as its differentiation from other psychiatric disorders (e.g., MDD) to diagnose these patients early and accurately
- Evaluate the mechanisms of action, clinical profiles, and supporting phase 3 trial data for therapies with recent approvals for BD depression to effectively integrate these agents into clinical practice
- Examine the role of antidepressants in BD and determine whether they may be used safely for certain patient presentations

Clinical Professor, Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences
Valhalla, NY




This activity is jointly provided by Medical Education Resources (MER) and Efficient LLC.
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by MER and Efficient, LLC. MER is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Designation Statement
MER designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
MER insures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational activities. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies relevant financial relationships with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Reported relevant financial relationships are mitigated by MER to ensure that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CE activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing learners with high-quality CE activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not the business interest of an ineligible company.
Planners' and Managers' Disclosure
MER planners and managers have nothing to disclose. Efficient LLC planners and managers have nothing to disclose.
Faculty Disclosures
Dr. Citrome:
- Contracted Research: AbbVie/Allergan, Acadia, Adamas, Alkermes, Angelini, Astellas, Avanir, Axsome, BioXcel, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cadent Therapeutics, Eisai, Enteris BioPharma, HLS Therapeutics, Impel, Intra-Cellular, Janssen, Karuna, Lundbeck, Lyndra, Medavante-ProPhase, Merck, Neurocrine, Novartis, Noven, Otsuka, Ovid, Relmada, Reviva, Sage, Sunovion, Teva, University of Arizona
- Consulting Fees: AbbVie/Allergan, Acadia, Alkermes, Angelini, Eisai, Intra-Cellular, Janssen, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Noven, Otsuka, Sage, Sunovion, Takeda, and Teva,
Ms. Kosicek:
- Consulting Fees: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corium, Eisai, Intra-Cellular, Teva
- Speakers Bureau: AbbVie/Allergan, Alkermes, Intra-Cellular, Teva, US World Meds
Dr. Goldberg:
- Consulting Fees: BioXcel, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Sage, Sunovion, Supernus
- Speakers’ Bureau: AbbVie, Alkermes, Axsome, Intra-Cellular, Sunovion
- Royalty: American Psychiatric Publishing; Cambridge Univ. Press
Dr. Chepke:
- Contracted Research: Acadia, Axsome, Biohaven, Harmony, Neurocrine, Teva
- Consulting Fees: AbbVie, Acadia, Alkermes, Axsome, BioXcel, Corium, Eisai, Genomind, Idorsia, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Jazz, Karuna, Lundbeck, MedinCell, Neurocrine, Noven, Otsuka, Takeda, Teva; Advisory Board (spouse): Otsuka
- Speakers’ Bureau: AbbVie, Acadia, Alkermes, Axsome, BioXcel, Corium, Eisai, Genomind, Idorsia, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Jazz, Lundbeck, Merck, Neurocrine, Noven, Otsuka, Sunovion, Takeda, Teva
Dr. Cutler:
- Consulting Fees: AbbVie/Allergan, Acadia, Alfasigma, Alkermes, Axsome, Biogen, BioXcel, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cerevel, Corium, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Jazz, Karuna, Lundbeck, Luye Pharma, Neumora/BlackThorn, Neurocrine, Noven, Otsuka, Relmada, Reviva Pharmaceuticals, Sage Therapeutics, Sunovion, Supernus, Takeda, Teva, Tris Pharma, VistaGen
- Speakers’ Bureau: AbbVie/Allergan, Acadia, Alfasigma, Alkermes, BioXcel, Corium, Intra-Cellular, Ironshore, Janssen, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Noven, Otsuka, Sunovion, Supernus, Takeda, Teva, Tris Pharma
- Employee & Board Member: Neuroscience Education Institute
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The planners of this activity do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the planners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.
Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Intra-Cellular Therapies.