Mount Arlington

Bipolar disorder is a serious and long-lasting mood disorder affecting both adults and children, with up to 1.8% of the pediatric population in the United States affected. Treatment options for depressive episodes in children with bipolar disorder are limited due to fewer studies compared to adults. This research aims to evaluate how cariprazine affects disease symptoms and safety in children and teenagers aged 10 to 17 years who have bipolar I disorder with depressive episodes. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving cariprazine and the other receiving a placebo, with about half of the participants in each group. Cariprazine will be given as oral capsules in doses adjusted based on age and weight. At the third week, doses may be increased for those not responding well, while others will continue their current dose. The treatment lasts 6 weeks, followed by a 4-week safety follow-up period. During the study, participants will attend weekly visits to hospitals or clinics for medical assessments, blood tests, and questionnaires to monitor side effects and treatment effects. Researchers will measure changes in depression scores and monitor for any adverse events or abnormal clinical signs, including vital signs, ECG, and movement disorders. The total study duration includes the treatment and safety follow-up periods, ensuring careful observation of participants' health and response to treatment.