Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation
Aims: Bipolar depression remains a major therapeutic challenge, particularly in elderly populations where treatment options are constrained by comorbidities and medication tolerability. Despite pharmacological advancements, many patients experience persistent depressive symptoms, even after multiple...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-06-01
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| Series: | BJPsych Open |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472425107485/type/journal_article |
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| _version_ | 1849316377872039936 |
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| author | Arinze Mbanusi Muhammad-Kazim Kanani |
| author_facet | Arinze Mbanusi Muhammad-Kazim Kanani |
| author_sort | Arinze Mbanusi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aims: Bipolar depression remains a major therapeutic challenge, particularly in elderly populations where treatment options are constrained by comorbidities and medication tolerability. Despite pharmacological advancements, many patients experience persistent depressive symptoms, even after multiple trials of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Lithium, while effective, is associated with nephrotoxicity, limiting its use in the elderly. Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent primarily used for narcolepsy, has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment for treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). Its broad neurochemical effects, targeting multiple pathways, suggest promise in addressing refractory mood symptoms. However, its role in elderly patients remains underexplored. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4ffccac501de40b3abd3ebe6c3cf6cfd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2056-4724 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BJPsych Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-4ffccac501de40b3abd3ebe6c3cf6cfd2025-08-20T03:51:44ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Open2056-47242025-06-0111S311S31110.1192/bjo.2025.10748Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil AugmentationArinze MbanusiMuhammad-Kazim Kanani0Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Foundation NHS Trust, Durham, United KingdomAims: Bipolar depression remains a major therapeutic challenge, particularly in elderly populations where treatment options are constrained by comorbidities and medication tolerability. Despite pharmacological advancements, many patients experience persistent depressive symptoms, even after multiple trials of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Lithium, while effective, is associated with nephrotoxicity, limiting its use in the elderly. Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent primarily used for narcolepsy, has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment for treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). Its broad neurochemical effects, targeting multiple pathways, suggest promise in addressing refractory mood symptoms. However, its role in elderly patients remains underexplored.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472425107485/type/journal_article |
| spellingShingle | Arinze Mbanusi Muhammad-Kazim Kanani Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation BJPsych Open |
| title | Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation |
| title_full | Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation |
| title_fullStr | Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation |
| title_short | Challenges of Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression in the Elderly: A Case Study of Successful Modafinil Augmentation |
| title_sort | challenges of treatment resistant bipolar depression in the elderly a case study of successful modafinil augmentation |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472425107485/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT arinzembanusi challengesoftreatmentresistantbipolardepressionintheelderlyacasestudyofsuccessfulmodafinilaugmentation AT muhammadkazimkanani challengesoftreatmentresistantbipolardepressionintheelderlyacasestudyofsuccessfulmodafinilaugmentation |