NIMH Failing Bipolar Disorder Hello John, A new study, published September 17 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, reported that fewer than 10% of bipolar disorder related NIMH research grants are likely within 20 years to help anyone who currently has bipolar disorder. The research was organized by Dr. Michael Knable, Director of Clearview Communities and President of the Board of the Treatment Advocacy Center. He identified 120 research grants awarded by NIMH in 2020 and said to be related to bipolar disorder. He then rated each grant by one of five categories: likely to improve the lives of patients within 20 years by use of medications. likely to improve the lives of patients within 20 years by use of behavioral treatments or psychotherapies. likely to improve the lives of patients within 20 years by reducing the symptoms of co-morbid illnesses. may possibly improve the lives of patients with 20 years by performing observational studies. unlikely to improve the lives of patients within 20 years due to its focus on basic neuroscience. The 120 grants were then also independently rated by Dr. Fuller Torrey. Drs. Knable and Torrey rated only 8% and 9% of the research grants as being likely to help any patients with bipolar disorder within 20 years. The results of this study are consistent with a previous study of 428 schizophrenia related research grants supported by NIMH in 2018. Three psychiatrists, including Drs. Knable and Torrey, independently rated them on the likelihood of improving the symptoms and/or quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia within 20 years. At least one reviewer rated 90 percent of the grants, and all three reviewers rated 70 percent of the grants as being “very unlikely” to do so. The results are also consistent with the 2015 claim of Dr. Thomas Insel, then Director of NIMH, that only 10 percent of NIMH research funding was going to clinical trials research. In summarizing the new bipolar disorder study, Dr. Knable said the following: “While it is certainly important to invest in basic research to improve our understanding of brain function, as a clinician it is very disheartening for me to see the lack of emphasis on developing better treatments and better access to care for the many who suffer from mental illnesses.” Added Dr. Torrey: “For the last two decades NIMH research has contributed very little to help people with serious mental illnesses who are of my generation or my children’s generation. My grandchildren are now in their 20s and it looks very unlikely that their generation will receive any help from NIMH either. Thirty or forty years from now, it is possible that my great grandchildren or my great-great grandchildren will receive some benefit from NIMH’s current basic research but that remains to be seen. This situation is unacceptable. People currently affected also have a right to research.” The published report is available here. Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission. Sincerely, Treatment Advocacy Center Thank you for your continued support of the Treatment Advocacy Center. Donate Treatment Advocacy Center | Website ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Treatment Advocacy Center | 200 N Glebe Rd, Ste 801, Arlington, VA 22203 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!