BALANCE and BALANCE 2

- randomised clinical trials of treatments for bipolar disorder.

BALANCE is a trial of treatment for prevention of manic and depressive relapses.

The trial is comparing lithium and valproate combination treatment with lithium treatment and with valproate treatment respectively.

** Recruitment has now closed **

BALANCE 2 was a pilot study conducted as part of the development of a trial of treatment for bipolar depression.

The pilot study, which compared Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) with lamotrigine, was completed in September 2006.

CEQUEL, a large-scale trial of current treatment for bipolar depression began in 2008.

BALANCE is funded by the Stanley Medical Research Institute, a leading US mental health charity.