New Research Initiative Aims to Transform Bipolar Disorder Treatment

In 2013, Ruby Rubaiyat, seeking help for suicidal thoughts, contacted psychiatrists in Ottawa. This initiated an eight-year period marked by misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments before a manic episode led to a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Despite the diagnosis, Mr. Rubaiyat has continued to struggle. He has experienced 11 failed treatment regimens, and his career, relationships, and self-esteem have suffered. He expressed difficulty understanding the chaos in his personal life, stating that the diagnosis, in itself, didn't provide immediate relief. He also has complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr. Rubaiyat's experiences are not uncommon for individuals with bipolar disorder, an illness that is often challenging to treat and takes an average of nine years to diagnose accurately. Psychiatric research, in general, has been underfunded, and bipolar disorder has been particularly neglected, despite affecting an estimated 40 million people worldwide.

A new research initiative, Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD²), is aiming to change this. It is building a network of 15 institutions to share data and collaborate on research. This includes a longitudinal study that will follow 4,000 patients over five years, collecting data through blood analysis, MRI scans, and wearable devices.

BD², in partnership with Brain Canada, announced a US$2.3-million grant to the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the first Canadian site to join the research effort. The head of mental health at The Ottawa Hospital, leading the Ottawa site, expressed excitement about the potential to advance knowledge and understand the illness through long-term data collection.

Bipolar disorders are chronic psychiatric conditions characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. BD² was launched in 2022 with US$150-million in funding from philanthropic families. The initiative began with six sites, including leading institutions. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is the 11th site.

BD² is investing in discovery research to understand the genetics and mechanisms of bipolar disorder, with the goal of improving diagnostics and treatment. The longitudinal cohort study will be one of the largest of its kind. Participating institutions are also forming a "learning health network" to analyze data and improve clinical care in real time.

The initiative aims to reduce the delay between discovery and implementation of new practice models. The goal is to develop new treatments and approaches while simultaneously refining clinical services. The hope is to replicate the successes of cancer centers by creating a coordinated research network. The overarching goal is to empower individuals with bipolar disorder to thrive, not just by reducing hospitalizations and symptoms, but by enabling them to live well and maintain healthy lifestyles.