Bipolar Disorder

West Virginia

9 Bipolar Disorder Trials near West Virginia

Power is an online platform that helps thousands of Bipolar Disorder patients discover FDA-reviewed trials every day. Every trial we feature meets safety and ethical standards, giving patients an easy way to discover promising new treatments in the research stage.

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No Placebo
Highly Paid
Stay on Current Meds
Pivotal Trials (Near Approval)
Breakthrough Medication

Ketogenic Diet for Bipolar Disorder

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This trial is testing if a high-fat, low-carb diet can help adults with Bipolar Disorder. The diet increases a substance that might reduce severe mood swings. Researchers will use various methods to study its effects on brain activity and emotions. The diet may have mood-stabilizing properties.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 40

107 Participants Needed

This trial tests a telehealth therapy called IPSRT to help children at high risk of bipolar disorder due to having a bipolar parent. The therapy focuses on improving sleep and daily routines to prevent the disorder. The study will monitor outcomes over time. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) was specifically developed to manage stressful life events, improve disruptions in social and circadian rhythms, and has shown efficacy in treating bipolar disorder.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:12 - 18

120 Participants Needed

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a common and highly debilitating psychiatric disorder, however, the predisposing brain mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, the investigators aim to examine the immediate effect of transcranial brain stimulation (TBS) on brain activity and emotions in adults with and without BD as a first stage toward understanding the predisposing brain mechanisms of BD. The investigators hypothesize that TBS will reduce brain activity while playing a game with rewards in all adults, but the TBS will reduce brain activity more in the adults with BD compared to adults without BD. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that this reduced brain activity will be associated with reduced BD symptoms, such as negative emotions.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 35

134 Participants Needed

Ketogenic Diet for Bipolar Disorder

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The present study is an open trial of ketogenic diets for adolescents and young adults (ages 12-21 yrs) in the depressive or mixed phases of bipolar disorder (BD). The investigators aim to determine whether combining standard of care pharmacological treatment for bipolar spectrum disorders with a 16-week ketogenic diet is well-tolerated and associated with improvements in depression, inflammatory and metabolic indicators, and executive functioning over the study period. The experimental treatment in this study is a 16-week full ketogenic diet. Four study sites (UCLA, U Cincinnati, U Colorado and U Pittsburgh) will recruit 80 total youth (20 each) from bipolar specialty clinics. All youth eligible for the ketogenic therapy will be provided with the ketogenic diet and standard of care pharmacological treatment. During the diet therapy youth will be seen by a study child/adolescent psychiatrist at least once a month (and more frequently when needed), with the psychiatrist recommending and providing side effects monitoring and pharmacotherapy as clinically indicated. The youth and caregivers will also meet with an expert dietitian who will coach all youth on maintaining the ketogenic diet (low carbs, high fats, medium protein) and making sure the child is tolerating the diet and getting enough liquid and nutrients, following the practice guidelines of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group for treating youth. All youth and involved caregivers will also be provided will at least one motivational enhancement session to support them in goal setting and completion of the study elements. Throughout the study the investigators will assess metabolic (e.g., blood ketones, HOMA-IR) and inflammatory indicators (e.g., C-reactive protein), both for safety reasons and to assess correlates of symptomatic change. Independent evaluators will assess youth every month regarding their symptoms (depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis), psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. The investigators anticipate that the pilot will transpire over 24 months and be an important step toward establishing feasibility and acceptability of ketogenic therapy for this population, not only in terms of diet administration and compliance but also for obtaining symptomatic, metabolic and inflammatory measurements.
Stay on current meds
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:12 - 21

80 Participants Needed

OLZ/SAM for Schizophrenia

West Chester, Ohio
This trial evaluates the safety and tolerability of OLZ/SAM in children and adolescents with schizophrenia or Bipolar I disorder. OLZ/SAM combines olanzapine to manage symptoms and samidorphan to reduce weight gain. Olanzapine is a well-established antipsychotic effective for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, but its use is limited by significant weight gain; samidorphan is added to mitigate this side effect.
No Placebo Group
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Enrolling By Invitation
Trial Phase:Phase 3
Age:10 - 17

236 Participants Needed

This trial is testing the safety and effectiveness of cariprazine in children and teens with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, or autism. The goal is to see if the medication is safe and beneficial for use in these young patients.
No Placebo Group
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Trial Details

Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 3
Age:5 - 17

310 Participants Needed

This trial is testing four different medications to find the best treatment for adults with bipolar disorder type 1 who are currently depressed. The medications work by balancing brain chemicals that affect mood. The goal is to help patients recover from depression and stay well.
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Not Yet Recruiting
Trial Phase:Phase 4

2726 Participants Needed

This is a hybrid1, effectiveness-implementation study of yoga-based exercises (YE) as an adjunctive tool for rehabilitation among persons with Severe Mental Illness (SMI). The two-arm randomized controlled trial will compare the efficacy of YE compared to the Wellness Lifestyle Program (WLP). Primary outcomes of the study will be self-report and performance-based measures of community functioning, defined in the investigators study as social, leisure, employment, and life skills functioning in the community. Secondary outcomes will include cognition and physical fitness measures.
Stay on current meds
No Placebo Group

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased
Age:18 - 65

112 Participants Needed

VNS for Bipolar Depression

Huntington, West Virginia
This trial is testing whether VNS Therapy, which sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, can reduce depression symptoms in patients who haven't responded to other treatments. The study will observe the effects of VNS therapy over a year. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a recognized treatment for severe treatment-resistant depression and has shown promising results.

Trial Details

Trial Status:Recruiting
Trial Phase:Unphased

6800 Participants Needed

Why Other Patients Applied

"I've been experiencing bipolar depression since I was a teenager and have tried many treatments that have not helped: SSRIs (Prozac), Wellbutrin, talk therapy. None worked. I've heard great things about ketamine therapy and would really like to try it. I'd like to access it through a clinical trial."

FM
Bipolar Disorder PatientAge: 38

"I really would love to be normal. A functioning part of society. It is very hard to hold a job with this condition. I need to be steady. I do NOT like my current meds or ones I've tried before, so new therapies are of interest to me. "

EC
Bipolar Disorder PatientAge: 42

"I have suffered from different mental health issues and have not had very good luck with finding what works best for me. My mental illness is seriously hurting my marriage and home life... I've been reading about new research treatments and think that they might work better than traditional treatments. Excited to try."

QQ
Bipolar Disorder PatientAge: 43

"I have struggled living with bipolar disorder for nearly 20 years. I am always hopeful to find new treatments or medications that might really help my symptoms, and I feel strongly pulled to help contribute to bipolar research/science any way that I can. Finally use this brain for some good! :)"

PC
Bipolar Disorder PatientAge: 40

"I have tried many different drugs in the past. I just want to find something that works. I just want to be happy and content with life. I'm always having "episodes" where I just shut down and cry and get mad. I need to find a drug that helps me live a happier life. I have everything I ever wanted, yet still can't stay happy. Hopefully this trial helps me and other people in these situations. "

QE
Bipolar Disorder PatientAge: 35

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Bipolar Disorder clinical trials in West Virginia pay?

Each trial will compensate patients a different amount, but $50-100 for each visit is a fairly common range for Phase 2–4 trials (Phase 1 trials often pay substantially more). Further, most trials will cover the costs of a travel to-and-from the clinic.

How do Bipolar Disorder clinical trials in West Virginia work?

After a researcher reviews your profile, they may choose to invite you in to a screening appointment, where they'll determine if you meet 100% of the eligibility requirements. If you do, you'll be sorted into one of the treatment groups, and receive your study drug. For some trials, there is a chance you'll receive a placebo. Across Bipolar Disorder trials in West Virginia 30% of clinical trials have a placebo. Typically, you'll be required to check-in with the clinic every month or so. The average trial length in West Virginia for Bipolar Disorder is 12 months.

How do I participate in a study as a "healthy volunteer"?

Not all studies recruit healthy volunteers: usually, Phase 1 studies do. Participating as a healthy volunteer means you will go to a research facility in West Virginia several times over a few days or weeks to receive a dose of either the test treatment or a "placebo," which is a harmless substance that helps researchers compare results. You will have routine tests during these visits, and you'll be compensated for your time and travel, with the number of appointments and details varying by study.

What does the "phase" of a clinical trial mean?

The phase of a trial reveals what stage the drug is in to get approval for a specific condition. Phase 1 trials are the trials to collect safety data in humans. Phase 2 trials are those where the drug has some data showing safety in humans, but where further human data is needed on drug effectiveness. Phase 3 trials are in the final step before approval. The drug already has data showing both safety and effectiveness. As a general rule, Phase 3 trials are more promising than Phase 2, and Phase 2 trials are more promising than phase 1.

Do I need to be insured to participate in a Bipolar Disorder medical study in West Virginia?

Clinical trials are almost always free to participants, and so do not require insurance. The only exception here are trials focused on cancer, because only a small part of the typical treatment plan is actually experimental. For these cancer trials, participants typically need insurance to cover all the non-experimental components.

What are the newest Bipolar Disorder clinical trials in West Virginia?

Most recently, we added Ketogenic Diet for Bipolar Disorder, Multiple Medications for Bipolar Depression and Ketogenic Diet for Bipolar Disorder to the Power online platform.

Is there hope for people with bipolar?

Absolutely—bipolar disorder is very treatable: with mood-stabilizing medicines plus evidence-based talk therapy and a regular sleep–wake routine, more than 70 % of people achieve long symptom-free stretches and many return to work, school, and satisfying relationships. Sticking with treatment, watching for early warning signs, and using supports such as the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance greatly increase those odds, so a full, meaningful life is a realistic goal rather than wishful thinking.

What is the first red flag of bipolar disorder?

There isn’t one universal “first” symptom, but the earliest red flag doctors see most often is a sudden decrease in the need for sleep—sleeping only a few hours yet feeling unusually energized and unable to shut your mind off. If this change lasts several days, especially when paired with racing thoughts, extra talkativeness, big ideas, or risky spending, it’s time to get a mental-health check-up because catching bipolar disorder early greatly improves treatment success.

What is the strongest medication for bipolar?

There isn’t a single “strongest” pill for bipolar disorder; doctors match the medicine to the phase and the person. For acute mania, lithium or valproate often combined with an atypical antipsychotic (e.g., quetiapine, olanzapine) typically works fastest; for bipolar depression, lamotrigine or quetiapine lead, and for long-term prevention lithium remains the gold standard when tolerated. The best regimen is the one that controls your symptoms with acceptable side effects, so choice and dose are always individualized by a psychiatrist who can monitor blood levels and overall health.

Why do people with bipolar go off their meds?

People stop bipolar medication for three main clusters of reasons: 1) medication factors—unpleasant side-effects (weight gain, tremor, mental “fog”) or complex dosing that make daily use feel worse than the illness; 2) illness factors—mood swings that create denial (“I’m fine now”) or the euphoric energy of mania that makes pills seem unnecessary or even unwanted; and 3) practical/social factors—cost, stigma, substance use, or a poor fit with the prescribing clinician. Recognizing which cluster is at play helps patients, families, and doctors tailor solutions—whether that’s adjusting the drug, adding psycho-education or reminders, or improving access—rather than assuming the person is simply being “non-compliant.”

What is unhealthy coping for bipolar people?

With bipolar disorder, “unhealthy coping” is anything you do to feel better in the moment that ends up disrupting one of three stabilisers: (1) your medication plan, (2) a regular sleep-and-daily routine, or (3) clear, substance-free judgement. Habits that break those stabilisers—skipping meds, drinking or using drugs, staying up late gaming or doom-scrolling, isolating yourself, or chasing risky thrills like overspending—tend to push mood swings harder and make recovery slower; replacing them with steady sleep, sober living, social support, and professional treatment keeps the illness on a shorter, safer leash.

Can untreated bipolar disorder lead to psychosis?

Yes. When bipolar mood swings are allowed to build unchecked, they can become so intense that a person loses touch with reality—research shows psychosis occurs in roughly 6 in 10 people with bipolar I and 2 in 10 with bipolar II, usually during extreme mania or depression. Staying on mood-stabilizing medication, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and seeking immediate care if hallucinations or fixed false beliefs emerge greatly reduce this risk and shorten episodes.

How does a person with bipolar think?

Thinking in bipolar disorder depends on the phase: during mania the mind races with big, fast ideas and bold confidence, while during depression thoughts slow down, dwell on negatives, and decision-making feels heavy; between episodes most people return to their usual, clear thinking, though some lingering trouble with focus or memory can remain. Recognising these predictable swings—and getting help early with medication, therapy, sleep, and support—makes it easier to manage symptoms and respond to a loved one with understanding instead of frustration.

Which hormone causes bipolar disorder?

No single hormone causes bipolar disorder; it is a brain-based mood condition shaped by genetics, life stress, and how different body systems interact. Shifts in thyroid hormone, the stress hormone cortisol, or female sex hormones can nudge symptoms better or worse—which is why doctors often check thyroid levels and watch times like postpartum or menopause—but fixing those levels alone doesn’t cure the disorder.

What is end stage bipolar disorder?

“End-stage” (or late-stage) bipolar disorder is an informal term doctors sometimes use for people whose illness has become chronic, treatment-resistant, and functionally disabling: mood swings remain frequent or severe despite multiple therapies, and there may be memory problems, physical health issues, and difficulty living independently. While this stage signals a need for more intensive care—such as combination medications, electro-convulsive or other neuromodulation therapies, cognitive/functional rehabilitation, and strong social supports—it is not a hopeless diagnosis; working closely with a mental-health team can still reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

What current research is being done for bipolar disorders?

Today’s bipolar-disorder research falls into five main streams: scientists are mapping hundreds of risk and “treatment-response” genes, testing rapid-acting medicines such as ketamine and psilocybin, refining brain-stimulation tools like transcranial magnetic stimulation, using smartphone and wearable data to predict mood swings and stabilize sleep-wake cycles, and running early-intervention trials in high-risk teens and young adults. Together, these projects aim not just to explain why bipolar illness occurs but to deliver faster, more personalized treatments and even prevent new episodes before they start.

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