{"title":"Bipolar disorder and the risk of developing dementia - a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Lars Vedel Kessing, Klaus Munkholm","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001100","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To present an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis on the risk of dementia in patients with bipolar disorder.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We included 22 studies investigating the risk of developing dementia among patients with bipolar disorder of which 21 studies provided data for the meta-analysis, comprising a total of 185 306 patients with bipolar disorder and 10 702 744 participants without bipolar disorder. Random effects meta-analysis showed an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder [odds ratio (OR): 3.13 (95% CI: 2.40-4.09), I2 = 99.8%, 21 studies]. In a secondary analysis excluding studies with overlapping populations, the pooled effect estimate was OR = 2.60 (95% CI 1.76-3.85, I2 = 99.9%, 11 studies). The evidence was uncertain due to substantial and unexplained between-study heterogeneity, methodological limitations, and risk of bias in the included studies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Patients with bipolar disorder have an increased risk of developing dementia, but the evidence is uncertain.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"390-399"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148148227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bipolar disorder in later life: lifestyle and physical health.","authors":"Osvaldo P Almeida","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001079","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To review the association between bipolar disorder in later life, lifestyle measures and physical health.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours are more frequent among individuals with than without bipolar disorder, and recent retrospective cohort studies using the UK Biobank and Primary Care Clinical Practice Research Datalink have produced results suggesting that hazardous lifestyles may individually and together increase the risk of incident bipolar disorder, including later in life. In addition, new investigations using data from the GAGE-BD consortium and the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme suggest that physical health morbidities are generally more prevalent among older women than men with bipolar disorder.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The findings of recent studies indicate that bipolar disorder is associated with unhealthy or hazardous lifestyles and that the association between them may be reciprocal. Lifestyle behaviours seem to have additive effects on physical morbidity, and this may help guide the introduction of harm-minimisation interventions. Bipolar disorder is also associated with high physical health burden, which seems to be more pronounced in women than men. The reasons behind such sex-discrepancy are unclear.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"385-389"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147364114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paula Villela Nunes, Luisa de Siqueira Rotenberg, Lucas Melo Neves, Beny Lafer
{"title":"Lifestyle and psychotherapy interventions for older adults with bipolar disorder.","authors":"Paula Villela Nunes, Luisa de Siqueira Rotenberg, Lucas Melo Neves, Beny Lafer","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001092","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Bipolar disorder (BD) in older adults presents unique clinical challenges, and nonpharmacological interventions are an important component of comprehensive care, with more favorable side-effect profiles. This review synthesizes recent evidence on lifestyle and psychotherapy interventions for older adults with BD.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Evidence derives predominantly from observational studies, with few interventional trials. Lifestyle analysis - largely from large-scale biobank cohorts - identifies smoking, sleep dysregulation, sedentary behavior, suboptimal diet, and weight extremes as modifiable risk factors associated with BD onset and course. Despite guideline recommendations, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia remains underutilized in BD. In psychotherapy, recovery-oriented and strengths-based models, including Recovery-focused Therapy and Functional Remediation for older adults, show feasibility and acceptability, with a randomized trial underway. Physical activity research is severely limited by absence of interventional studies in older adults with BD, with available evidence indicating that cognitive function and sedentary behavior may be bidirectionally associated.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Lifestyle and psychotherapy interventions for older adults with BD remain limited by paucity of interventional evidence, particularly for this age group. Integrated, age-sensitive, and recovery-oriented approaches hold promise. Future research must prioritize trials that include older adults and address lifestyle factors and their impact on course, cognition and psychosocial functioning.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"425-431"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Florindo Stella, Rodolfo B Ladeira, Orestes V Forlenza
{"title":"Neuroimaging in older-age bipolar disorder.","authors":"Florindo Stella, Rodolfo B Ladeira, Orestes V Forlenza","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001104","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review summarizes neuroimaging studies designed to investigate cortical and subcortical brain changes in older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD). The imaging modalities discussed in the review include structural MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) addressing white-matter microstructure, and functional and molecular neuroimaging with PET (18-F-FDG-PET, amyloid-PET, and tau-PET).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although limited, the neuroimaging evidence in OABD points to cortical thinning, reduced gray matter volume, subcortical alterations, and decreased fractional anisotropy in white-matter tracts. Studies also report a 'brain age gap' in bipolar disorder, in which predicted brain age (as per neuroimaging scans) exceeds chronological age.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Neuroimaging research in OABD remains limited by methodological heterogeneity, including variable imaging protocols, differences in episode severity and frequency, the effects of pharmacological treatment and neurobiological changes associated with disease chronicity. These factors restrict comparability and generalizability across studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"432-437"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148276510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diana Czepiel, Els van der Ven, Marit Sijbrandij, Hans W Hoek
{"title":"Rethinking mental disorders in COVID-19: evidence from prepandemic longitudinal data.","authors":"Diana Czepiel, Els van der Ven, Marit Sijbrandij, Hans W Hoek","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001103","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To synthesize longitudinal evidence of mental health outcomes, including prepandemic symptom measurements, among individuals with preexisting mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Symptom exacerbation commonly occurred in bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, substance use disorders and in obsessive-compulsive psychopathology related to contamination, while symptom improvement was consistently observed in bipolar disorders. In autism spectrum, schizophrenia spectrum and posttraumatic stress disorders, contrasting symptom patterns were reported, possibly reflecting differences in preexisting demographic and clinical profiles and contextual influences. Symptoms in depressive and anxiety disorders, anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive psychopathology unrelated to contamination remained largely stable. Across most disorders, individuals with chronic mental disorders or higher prepandemic symptom levels more frequently showed stable or improving trajectories than those with milder presentations or recent-onset disorders.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Given the small number of methodologically diverse studies, definitive statements regarding differential impact of the pandemic across disorders or underlying mechanisms remain premature. Nevertheless, current evidence does not indicate a generalised deterioration in individuals with preexisting mental disorders, including those with the highest prepandemic symptom burden. While some disorder-specific differences emerged, likely reflecting interactions between contextual changes and preexisting disorder processes, the overall picture is more nuanced than frequently portrayed in pandemic-related literature.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"375-384"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148519977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pharmacological maintenance treatment in older age bipolar disorder.","authors":"Debbie Zittema, Annemieke Dols","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001101","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The current review discusses the most recent developments in pharmacological maintenance treatment of older age bipolar disorder.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Older age bipolar disorder (OABD) applies to patients with bipolar disorder aged 50 years and over, a threshold reflecting the association between bipolar disorder and premature aging. Although medication effective in younger age bipolar disorder (YABD) are generally assumed to remain effective in older adults, the disease course becomes more complex in time and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics require careful consideration. Despite the growing aging population, research targeting OABD remains limited. Therefore, the Global Aging and Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder (GAGE-BD) was initiated by the ISBD (International Society for Bipolar Disorder) OABD taskforce in 2016. Several recent studies on pharmacological maintenance therapy originated from this initiative and are discussed in this narrative review alongside other recent findings. However, no intervention studies have been published in the last 18 months, and the current evidence base largely consists of prospective cohort studies and cross-sectional data.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>When looking at maintenance therapy in OABD, lithium remains first line of treatment but with an adjusted lower therapeutic range. Lithium therapy should not be withheld due to concerns of future kidney function decline.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"400-405"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148263729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Monika Klírová, Andrej Stančák, Tomáš Novák, Odile A van den Heuvel
{"title":"Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.","authors":"Monika Klírová, Andrej Stančák, Tomáš Novák, Odile A van den Heuvel","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001107","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and its modifications have emerged as promising interventions for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although growing evidence supports the safety and clinical efficacy of rTMS, substantial heterogeneity in study designs and stimulation protocols continues to hinder the development of uniform, consensus-based guidelines.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Large-scale clinical trials capable of definitively establishing the effectiveness of existing rTMS protocols are still lacking. However, available findings from smaller randomized controlled trials and (network) meta-analyses suggest moderate efficacy for various rTMS targets and protocols. Accelerated protocols may shorten time to response, though comparative evidence of their efficacy remains limited. In the absence of clear clinical predictors, research is increasingly focused on personalized treatment protocols and biomarker-informed prediction of response. Also, integrated treatment approaches, with accumulating evidence supporting the combination of rTMS with psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy, seem promising.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>rTMS shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for OCD. Large, well designed clinical trials are required to establish the most effective target and stimulation parameters and to verify long-term outcomes. Personalized targeting guided by neural predictors, as well as the integration of rTMS into broader therapeutic strategies, may enhance treatment efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"364-374"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148276458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kenneth I Shulman, Paula V Nunes, Lei Fu, Lisa T Eyler
{"title":"An international initiative to implement recommendations for a lower therapeutic range of maintenance lithium in older adults with bipolar disorder.","authors":"Kenneth I Shulman, Paula V Nunes, Lei Fu, Lisa T Eyler","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001105","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The aim of this study was to promote the universal recommendation that lithium carbonate remains the first-choice mood stabilizer for maintenance treatment of older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD) as concluded in a Delphi survey of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) as well as all other official guidelines.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Prescriptions of lithium have continued to decline in OABD worldwide despite these recommendations and in the face of evidence for its effectiveness as a mood stabilizer and lithium's potential for suicide prevention and neuroprotection from dementia. This study describes the results of a recent literature review of the role of lithium in OABD, finding further support from the recommended therapeutic range of 0.4-0.8 mmol/l for those aged 60-79 years and 0.4-0.7 mmol/l for those 80 and over, and summarizing prescribing considerations. We also provide evidence of the practicality of measuring and reporting age-specific ranges from a laboratory medicine perspective. Finally, we report on an international initiative of the ISBD OABD task force that aims to implement the lower recommended therapeutic ranges for maintenance lithium treatment as reported by laboratories around the world.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Initial efforts in Canada have resulted in the implementation of widespread changes in laboratory reporting. International efforts to implement separate and lower therapeutic ranges for lithium in OABD are continuing; so far, 18 dissemination attempts have yielded three successful implementations. This initiative aims to provide well tolerated and effective lithium treatment for OABD while reducing the risk of toxicity in this vulnerable group of patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"406-411"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148561218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luisa de Siqueira Rotenberg, Hudson Reddon, Paula Villela Nunes
{"title":"Beyond mood: alcohol and substance use older adults with bipolar disorder.","authors":"Luisa de Siqueira Rotenberg, Hudson Reddon, Paula Villela Nunes","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001090","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Substance use and substance use disorders (SUD) are common comorbidities in bipolar disorder (BD) and remain clinically consequential in older-age bipolar disorder (OABD), where medical vulnerability increases and detection may be more challenging. This review summarizes epidemiologic and clinical findings on substance use in OABD and highlights implications for assessment and management.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent longitudinal studies suggest that fluctuations in alcohol consumption, even when modest, are associated with poorer mood stability and functioning in BD, while worsening mood symptoms do not consistently predict subsequent increases in alcohol use, complicating simple self-medication models. Population-based studies continue to demonstrate elevated rates of SUD in individuals with BD compared with age-matched controls, with risk concentrated among those with earlier-onset illness. Large cohort data link SUD to increased mortality and greater cumulative medical burden. Cannabis use has also been consistently associated with worsened clinical outcomes, including greater symptom severity, poorer treatment adherence, and increased hospitalization risk.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Substance use and SUD substantially worsen psychiatric and medical outcomes in OABD. Routine, repeated screening and integrated treatment approaches addressing psychiatric symptoms, medical comorbidity, cognition, and social context are essential to reduce long-term morbidity and improve functional outcomes in later life.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"412-417"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juliano Flávio Rubatino Rodrigues, Lívia Peregrino Rodrigues, Gerardo Maria de Araújo Filho
{"title":"Harmful behaviours and suicide in later life bipolar disorder.","authors":"Juliano Flávio Rubatino Rodrigues, Lívia Peregrino Rodrigues, Gerardo Maria de Araújo Filho","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001106","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Harmful behaviours and suicidality are often linked to mental disorders, making it crucial to gain a deeper understanding of these issues. One significant area of focus is bipolar disorder in older adults, a condition that requires further exploration to better address its impact on this age group.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Longer hospital stays increased harmful behaviour among older adults with bipolar disorder. Older adults with bipolar disorder have lower suicide rates than younger individuals, possibly due to heightened risks shortly after diagnosis, so, it makes it important to pay attention to cases of late-onset bipolar disorder. Early-onset bipolar disorder is often genetically influenced, while late-onset bipolar disorder was more affected by environmental factors, with cognitive impairments leading to poorer functioning. The early years following a diagnosis of dementia associated with bipolar disorder show a higher risk of suicide.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Individuals experiencing manic episodes of bipolar disorder often display a heightened propensity for harmful behaviours. In contrast, during depressive episodes, these individuals are at an increased risk of contemplating or attempting suicide. Research highlights that the threat of suicide is particularly pronounced in the initial years after a bipolar disorder diagnosis, underscoring the critical need for vigilant monitoring during this vulnerable period. This concern is especially significant for cases of late-onset bipolar disorder in older adults, where the unique complexities of age may compound the challenges and risks associated with the condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"418-424"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148263807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}