Omega-3 Fatty Acid Adjunctive to Open-Label Aripiprazole for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This will be a 12 week, double blind study of omega-3 fatty acids vs. placebo adjunctive to open-label aripiprazole treatment in children and adolescents (ages 6-17) who meet DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder (BPD) (currently manic or mixed). Specific hypotheses are as follows: Hypothesis 1: Omega-3 fatty acids will be well-tolerated and efficacious in the treatment of children and adolescents with BPD Hypothesis 2: The total dose of aripiprazole will be lower in those subjects receiving active omega-3 treatment

Detailed Description
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Initial clinical evidence suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and/or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may play a therapeutic role in the management of mood disorders. EPA is an essential fatty acid, which can be metabolized to DHA and is a component of the human diet if fish is consumed. Aripiprazole is a novel second general antipsychotic that seems to function as a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT 1A receptors as well as an antagonist at the serotonin 5-HT 2A receptor. Since it has a favorable adverse event profile in adults, it is an attractive choice for the treatment of youth with bipolar disorder if proven efficacious. Although pilot research showed that omega-3 fatty acids monotherapy treatment resulted in improvement of manic symptoms, the improvement is less dramatic than that observed in trials of antipsychotics. We will test the safety and efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo as an adjunctive treatment to open-label aripiprazole in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. The proposed study includes 1) the use of a 12-week design to document the response rate 2) careful assessment of safety and tolerability

Official Title
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A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Adjunctive to Open-Label Aripiprazole for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents Ages 6-17 With Bipolar Spectrum Disorder

Conditions
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Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Aripiprazole
* Dietary Supplement: fish oil
* Drug: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male or female subject, 6-17 years of age Subject has a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar I, bipolar II, or bipolar spectrum disorder and currently displaying manic, hypomanic, or mixed symptoms (with or without psychotic features) Subject and their legal representative have a level of understanding sufficient to communicate intelligently with the investigator and study coordinator, and to cooperate with all tests and examinations required by the protocol Subject and their legal representative must be considered reliable Subject and his/her authorized legal representative must understand the nature of the study. The subject's authorized legal representative must sign an informed consent document and the subject must sign an informed assent document Subject must have an initial score on the Young-Mania Rating Scale (Y-MRS) of at least 20 Subject must be able to participate in mandatory blood draws Subject must be able to swallow pills Subjects with comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), anxiety and depressive disorders will be allowed to participate in the study provided they do not meet for any of exclusionary criteria For concomitant therapy used to treat ADHD, subject must have been on a stable dose of the medication for 1 month prior to study enrollment. The dose of the ADHD therapy may not change throughout the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: Investigator and his/her immediate family; defined as the investigator's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild Serious, unstable illness including heptic, renal, gastroenterological, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease), endocrinologic, neurologic, immunologic, or hematologic disease Uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism History of sensitivity to omega-3 fatty acids. A non-responder or history of intolerance to omega-3 fatty acid, after treatment at adequate doses as determined by the clinician. Severe allergies or multiple adverse drug reactions. Non-febrile seizures without a clear and resolved etiology DSM-IV substance (except nicotine or caffeine) dependence within past 6 months Judged clinically to be at serious suicidal risk Any other concomitant medication with primarily central nervous system activity other than specified in the Concomitant Medication portion of the protocol. Current diagnosis of schizophrenia Pregnant or nursing females

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Aripiprazole plus Fish Oil<br>Subjects administered aripiprazole and randomized to receive fish oil | Drug: Aripiprazole<br>* tablet, start at 2mg and increase/decrease each week, taken daily for 12 weeks<br>* Other names: Abilify;Dietary Supplement: fish oil<br>* 1600mg (4 capsules) daily for 12 weeks<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Aripiprazole plus Placebo<br>Subjects administered aripiprazole and randomized to receive placebo | Drug: Aripiprazole<br>* tablet, start at 2mg and increase/decrease each week, taken daily for 12 weeks<br>* Other names: Abilify;Drug: Placebo<br>* Placebo<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Bipolar Symptoms as Assessed by Young-Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) | The YMRS is used to evaluate symptoms of mania in children and adolescents. Items are rated from 0-4 or 0-8, with higher scores indicating greater severity. The minimum total score (least severe) is 0, and the maximum total score (most severe) is 60. | weekly for 1st 6 weeks then biweekly | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DSM-IV Mania Symptom Checklist | The DSM-IV Mania Symptom Checklist is used to evaluate symptoms of mania. Item scores range from 0-3, with larger scores indicating greater severity. With 33 items, the maximum (most severe) score possible is 99, with the minimum (least severe) score possible being 0. | weekly for first 6 weeks then biweekly | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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bipolar disorder, fish oil, aripiprazole, children