Purpose

This study seeks to investigate whether tranylcypromine (Parnate®) might be an effective treatment of bipolar depression. New treatments are needed, as there is little evidence that standard antidepressants are effective in treating this condition, and the two antipsychotic medications that have indications for bipolar depression can cause substantial side effects. This study will focus specifically on currently depressed outpatients having a bipolar history for whom at least one standard antidepressant medication was ineffective. Patients will be treated openly with tranylcypromine for 8-10 months, depending on treatment response.

• Type of Study: Clinical Trial
• Setting of Study: outpatient
• Clinical Trials.gov number: NCT01430455
• Providing Clinical Treatment?: Yes
• No Cost Treatment?: Yes
• Care is provided in languages: English

Study Activities

• Filling Out Forms
• Computer Tasks
• Blood Samples

Eligibility

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Genders Eligible for Study: Both
• This study is not recruiting Healthy Volunteers.

Criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
  1. History of Bipolar I, II
  2. Currently depressed (major depressive episode or depression NOS)
  3. Physically healthy or physically stable (i.e.,No changes in medical interventions in past three months or likely for the next three months)
  4. On stable and effective mood stabilizer or hypomania deemed sufficiently mild to not require a mood stabilizer.
  5. Prior adequate trial on at least one antidepressant.
  6. Able to follow a tyramine-free diet
  7. Must speak English
  
  
  
  
• Links
  Depression Evaluation Service website
  Columbia University Department of Psychiatry
  
• Location: DES #51 1051 Riverside Drive New York, NY, 10032
• Clinic: Depression Evaluation Service
• Division: Therapeutics
• Study chairs or principal investigators: Jonathan W. Stewart M.D., Principal Investigator
• Co-investigators: Patrick McGrath, David Hellerstein, Deborah Deliyannides,