Cited by 216Bipolar Disorder and TreatmentSchizophrenia research and treatmentPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Staging in bipolar disorder: from theoretical framework to clinical utility

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Berk, Michael, Post, Robert, Ratheesh, Aswin, Gliddon, Emma, Singh, Ajeet, Vieta, Eduard, Carvalho, Andre F., Ashton, Melanie M. +6 more·2017·World Psychiatry

Abstract

Illness staging is widely utilized in several medical disciplines to help predict course or prognosis, and optimize treatment. Staging models in psychiatry in general, and bipolar disorder in particular, depend on the premise that psychopathology moves along a predictable path: an at‐risk or latency stage, a prodrome progressing to a first clinical threshold episode, and one or more recurrences with the potential to revert or progress to late or end‐stage manifestations. The utility and validity of a staging model for bipolar disorder depend on its linking to clinical outcome, treatment response and neurobiological measures. These include progressive biochemical, neuroimaging and cognitive changes, and potentially stage‐specific differences in response to pharmacological and psychosocial treatments. Mechanistically, staging models imply the presence of an active disease process that, if not remediated, can lead to neuroprogression, a more malignant disease course and functional deterioration. Biological elements thought to be operative in bipolar disorder include a genetic diathesis, physical and psychic trauma, epigenetic changes, altered neurogenesis and apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Many available agents, such as lithium, have effects on these targets. Staging models also suggest the utility of stage‐specific treatment approaches that may not only target symptom reduction, but also impede illness neuroprogression. These treatment approaches range from prevention for at‐risk individuals, to early intervention strategies for prodromal and newly diagnosed individuals, complex combination therapy for rapidly recurrent illness, and palliative‐type approaches for those at chronic, late stages of illness. There is hope that prompt initiation of potentially disease modifying therapies may preclude or attenuate the cognitive and structural changes seen in the later stages of bipolar disorder. The aims of this paper are to: a) explore the current level of evidence supporting the descriptive staging of the syndromal pattern of bipolar disorder; b) describe preliminary attempts at validation; c) make recommendations for the direction of further studies; and d) provide a distillation of the potential clinical implications of staging in bipolar disorder within a broader transdiagnostic framework.

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  1. [21]21. Kapczinski F , Magalh ~ aes PV, Balanz a-Martinez V et al. Staging systems in bipolar disorder: an International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force Report. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2014;130:354-63.
  2. [52]52. McIntyre RS, Earley W, Cheng-Tao C et al. Impact of the number of lifetime episodes on cariprazine efficacy in patients with bipolar mania. Presented at the 19th Conference of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, Washington, May 2017.
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Authors
Berk, M., Post, R., Ratheesh, A., Gliddon, E., Singh, A., Vieta, E., Carvalho, A. F., Ashton, M. M., Berk, L., Cotton, S. M., McGorry, P. D., Fernandes, B. S., Yatham, L. N., & Dodd, S.
Affiliations
  • Deakin University (AU)
  • George Washington University (US)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (ES)
  • University of Padua (IT)
  • Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Parkville Australia
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
Venue
World Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-09-21
Volume
16
Issue
3
Pages
236-244
ISSN
  • 1723-8617 (ISSN-L)
  • 2051-5545
OpenAlex
W2758822993
Cited by
216
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 2
FWCI
20.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • World Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (1059660)
  • ISCIII
  • CIBERSAM
  • NHMRC (APP1061998)
  • National Institute of Mental Health
  • Stanley Medical Research Institute
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
bipolar disorder, prodromal symptoms, neuroprogression, clinical course, lithium, early intervention, stage-specific treatment, disease-modifying therapy, transdiagnostic model, neurogenesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, cognitive decline

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