The need for paediatric registries to assess long-term brain effects of psychotropic medications: The case of bipolar disorder

Every time that a new compound is approved for paediatric use, the issue arises of long-term safety in a developing brain (and body). Critical issues that require long-term assessments in the adolescent population include cognitive performance, sexual dysfunction (including fertility), and height. Most psychiatric conditions develop in adolescence (Paus et al., 2008), and the most severe require medication, usually for long periods of time. In this age group, the developing brain may be especially vulnerable to the effects of psychotropic drugs.

Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - September 4, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Eduard Vieta, Celso Arango, A. John Rush Source Type: research