ASCEnD

ASCEnD is a clinical and cost-effectiveness study of aripiprazole combined with sertraline for patients with bipolar depression. It is running in 10 sites across the UK and recruitment is open now!

What does the study involve?

Bipolar disorder (referred to as ‘bipolar’ in this document) occurs in about 1.4% of people, over a lifetime. There are currently limited treatment options available for people experiencing depressive symptoms. In addition, some of these drugs have side effects such as sedation (feeling very sleepy) and gaining weight, and often cannot be prescribed by a GP.

Very little is known about using antidepressants in patients living with bipolar. Antidepressants can be very effective in people with depression and can also be prescribed by a GP. In this study, we will use a combination of an antidepressant (sertraline) and an antipsychotic drug (aripriprazole) and compare this with a drug called quetiapine. Quetiapine is a common treatment for people experiencing depression in bipolar. All three drugs are already used in the NHS, but we want to find out if using a sertraline/aripiprazole combination will be beneficial in reducing depressive symptoms in people with bipolar.

To do this, we are looking for 270 patients with bipolar who are currently experiencing depression from across the UK to take part in the ASCEnD study.

Who is eligible?

• Individuals above the age of 18
• Individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
• Individuals who fit the criteria set by the research team

For more information about the treatment of bipolar disorder listen to the RGCP eLearning Podcast episode featuring Professor Carolyn Chew Graham (OBE), a lead researcher on the nested qualitative study within ASCEnD.

If you would like to find out more about the ASCEnD study, or have any questions, please contact your local study staff. These are:

Dr Stuart Watson, Chief Investigator Email: CaPE@cntw.nhs.uk

Dr Niraj Ahuja, Principal Investigator Tel: 0191 2468606

Emily Clare/Victoria Wilson, Clinical Studies Officers, Research Delivery Team Tel: 0191 2468647

Linda Davison, CaPE Clinic Coordinator, Tel: 0191 208 1361 or 07919 881400

There is further information about this study on the ASCEnD Website.