A Phase 3 interventional study of Brexpiprazole in Bipolar Depression, sponsored by Douglas Mental Health University Institute. Recruiting at 3 sites in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-27.
Sponsored by Douglas Mental Health University Institute · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a frequent and lifelong recurrent mood disorder with treatment-resistant depressive episodes. Importantly, depressive symptoms and cognitive decline are major determinants of functionality and quality of life in this clinical population. There is robust evidence that individuals with BD have neurocognitive deficits (especially in memory and executive functioning domains) compared to the healthy population. These deficits are present in all mood states and can greatly affect patients' functional capacity, often more so than mood symptoms themselves. Many pharmacological treatments for BD adversely affect cognition, and those that are beneficial can be difficult to use. There is thus a pressing need to identify a safe, easy-to-use medication that can target both cognitive deficits and depressive symptoms in BD. It is expected that Brexpiprazole adjunctive treatment will be efficacious in treating BD type I and type II depression by improving mood symptoms, as well as cognitive capacity and global functioning, and that such changes will be accompanied by concurrent alterations in associated brain structures.
The estimated lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorders is 0.55% for bipolar type I and 1.65% for bipolar type II. In the long term, patients with a bipolar disorder spend on average 60% of their time in depressive states, with intermittent hypomanic or manic phases. Moreover, the depressive episodes tend to become more frequent and difficult to treat as they grow in number and/or frequency. Many studies have demonstrated that even so-called stabilized bipolar patients will go through frequent subsyndromal depressive symptoms during a significant portion of any given year.
Bipolar depression is heavily loaded with general symptoms of psychomotor retardation, anergia, hypersomnolence, hyperphagia, decreased motivation, anhedonia and cognitive difficulties. All these functions are modulated by dopamine, and strategies aimed at improving dopaminergic function are frequently used to resolve residual symptoms of bipolar depression. Brexpiprazole is a new serotonin-dopamine antagonist which possesses unique capabilities with partial dopaminergic (D2) agonistic activities. Moreover, like other atypical agents, Brexpiprazole is a potent antagonist of the 5-HT2a receptor, as well as the adrenergic α1b and α2c receptors, and is a 5-HT1a post-synaptic agonist. These properties enable the molecule to provide antidepressant potentiating capabilities. While Brexpiprazole is currently recognized for its capacity to potentiate antidepressant effects in unipolar depression, there is still a need to evaluate the molecule's effect in bipolar depression.
Depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits are major determinants of functionality and quality of life in individuals with bipolar disorders. Cognitive problems tend to increase with the number of mood episodes, psychotic symptoms, and anxiety. Further, certain medications (and especially polypharmacy) can increase cognitive decline in the long term. As the average age of the patient population increases, risk for cognitive decline due to aging and prolonged medication use is of importance. From a neuroanatomical perspective, current neuroscience literature has related treatment with Aripiprazole to improved memory performance and structural changes in the hippocampus in patients at an early stage of psychosis. The chemically and pharmacologically related compound Brexpiprazole is thus a promising candidate for targeting both depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits observed in bipolar depression given its partial agonistic activity at the D2 receptor and, possibly, because of its 5-HT7 antagonistic activity.
Treatment of bipolar depression is further complicated by the knowledge that, in the long-term, use of antidepressants may be associated with manic/hypomanic switches, rapid cycling, and mixed features. These further increase the risk of cognitive decline and suicidality. In fact, the suicide rate in bipolar disorders is relatively high compared with other disorders, with certain studies reporting that up to 50% of bipolar patients will attempt suicide. Further, mortality is considerably higher among patients with bipolar disorders as compared to the general population given patients' high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disorders (considerably increased by valproate and antipsychotic treatment). In the prevention of excess mortality, selection of first-line medications with a smaller effect on weight is essential.
Further, an interesting new phenotype for the personalized treatment of bipolar disorders is dysregulated biological rhythms (i.e., sleeping and eating patterns). This is a core etiopathological feature of bipolar disorders, and has been associated with obesity, cancer, and accelerated mortality in the general population. It has been previously shown that a majority of patients with bipolar disorders show a specific pattern of disorganized activity rhythm that is associated with treatment resistance, mood lability and obesity. It was recently reported that Aripiprazole can correct this type of disorganized rhythm. Based on an animal model, this effect is linked to dopaminergic activity. It is expected that Brexpiprazole will have a similar effect. This is supported by a recent sleep study of Brexpiprazole in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder that found an improvement of most sleep parameters in addition to decreasing daytime sleepiness and improving mood symptoms.
In addition, insulin resistance is shown to be one of the most robust predictors of a more chronic course of bipolar disorder. C-reactive protein (CRP) was shown to be two times greater in patients with insulin resistance compared to those without. Higher CRP is thus considered to be a predictor of treatment-resistance and cardiovascular risk in this clinical population. Most importantly, treatment response has been associated with decreasing CRP, decreasing insulin resistance, and decreasing depressive symptoms. As such, treatment-resistant bipolar depression can be viewed as a metabolic mood syndrome that is associated with a cognitive decline.
Taken together, there is a need to improve the repertoire of treatments for bipolar depression. One would favor strategies that procure a rapid onset of action as well as a low risk of switching to hypomania and weight gain. Finally, one would favor strategies that would procure relief for the most frequent and persistent symptoms of bipolar depression, such as psychomotor retardation, cognitive deficits, and reversed neurovegetative symptoms. Thus, the current study will evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an adjunctive, variable dose of Brexpiprazole treatment in bipolar depression.
Patient Inclusion Criteria:
Patient Exclusion Criteria:
Control Inclusion Criteria:
Control Exclusion Criteria:
Patient/Control Exclusion Criteria for MRI:
Individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type I or Type II and suffering a major depressive episode who will receive an adjunctive and variable dose of Brexpiprazole treatment
Drug: Brexpiprazole
Adjunctive variable dose (1-3 mg/day) Brexpiprazole
Change from Baseline Depressive Symptoms as Assessed by MADRS at 8 weeks
Percentage of response to treatment, as defined by a 50% improvement of depressive symptoms on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at 8 weeks. The overall MADRS score ranges from 0 to 60, where a higher score indicates more severe depression.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by FAST at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) after 8 weeks of treatment. The overall FAST score ranges from 0 to 72, where a higher score indicates more severe difficulties.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by FAST at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) after 12 weeks of treatment. The overall FAST score ranges from 0 to 72, where a higher score indicates more severe difficulties.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by FAST at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline on Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) after 6 months of treatment. The overall FAST score ranges from 0 to 72, where a higher score indicates more severe difficulties.
Time frame: 6 months
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by CPFQ at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) after 8 weeks. The overall CPFQ score ranges from 0 to 42, where a higher score indicates poorer functioning.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by CPFQ at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) after 12 weeks. The overall CPFQ score ranges from 0 to 42, where a higher score indicates poorer functioning.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by CPFQ at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline on Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) after 6 months.The overall CPFQ score ranges from 0 to 42, where a higher score indicates poorer functioning.
Time frame: 6 months
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by SDS at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) after 8 weeks. The overall SDS score ranges from 0 to 30, where a higher score indicates greater impairment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by SDS at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) after 12 weeks. The overall SDS score ranges from 0 to 30, where a higher score indicates greater impairment.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Global Functioning as Assessed by SDS at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline on Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) after 6 months. The overall SDS score ranges from 0 to 30, where a higher score indicates greater impairment.
Time frame: 6 months
Number of Participants with Treatment-Related Adverse Events or Serious Adverse Events
Number of safety events as measured by adverse event (AE) and serious adverse event (SAE) reporting.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Change from Baseline Impairments as Assessed by AIMS at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline on Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) at 8 weeks. The overall scores ranges from 0 to 12, where a higher score indicates greater impairment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Impairments as Assessed by BARS at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline impairments on Barnes-Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS) at 8 weeks. The overall score ranges from 0 to 9, where a higher score indicates greater severity.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Switch Rate into Hypomania as Assessed by the YMRS at 8 weeks
Percentage of switch into hypomania as defined by a Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score ≥ 8 at 8 weeks.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Switch Rate into Hypomania as Assessed by the YMRS at 12 weeks
Percentage of switch into hypomania as defined by a Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score ≥ 8 at 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Impairments as Assessed by CGI-I at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline impairments on Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) at 8 weeks. Scores range from 0 to 7, where a higher score indicates worsening of the illness.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Impairments as Assessed by CGI-I at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline impairments on Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) at 12 weeks. Scores range from 0 to 7, where a higher score indicates worsening of the illness.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Level of CRP at 8 weeks
Differential baseline levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/L) at 8 weeks.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Level of CRP at 12 weeks
Differential baseline levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/L) at 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Rest/Activity Rhythm at 8 weeks
Differential baseline rest-activity rhythm regularity at 8 weeks as measured by standard deviation of sleep onset, midpoint of sleep, and sleep consolidation.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the SCIP at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) at 8 weeks. Total scores range from 0 to 94, where higher scores indicate higher performance.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the SCIP at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) at 12 weeks. Total scores range from 0 to 94, where higher scores indicate higher performance.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the SCIP at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) at 6 months. Total scores range from 0 to 94, where higher scores indicate higher performance.
Time frame: 6 months
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the THINC-it toolkit at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the THINC-it toolkit at 8 weeks. The toolkit assesses the following measures: (1) attention, (2) working memory, (3) a variety of cognitive skills, and (4) executive function. An overview performance metric is calculated, the minimum is 0 and the maximum is 4000, with higher scores indicating better performance
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the THINC-it toolkit at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the THINC-it toolkit at 12 weeks. The toolkit assesses the following measures: (1) attention, (2) working memory, (3) a variety of cognitive skills, and (4) executive function. An overview performance metric is calculated, the minimum is 0 and the maximum is 4000, with higher scores indicating better performance
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the THINC-it toolkit at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the THINC-it toolkit at 6 months. The toolkit assesses the following measures: (1) attention, (2) working memory, (3) a variety of cognitive skills, and (4) executive function. An overview performance metric is calculated, the minimum is 0 and the maximum is 4000, with higher scores indicating better performance
Time frame: 6 months
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the RAVLT at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) at 8 weeks. Total scores range from 0-15 for the following sub-scales: immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition. Higher scores indicate higher performance for all three sub-scales.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the RAVLT at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) at 8 weeks. Total scores range from 0-15 for the following sub-scales: immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition. Higher scores indicate higher performance for all three sub-scales.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the RAVLT at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) at 8 weeks. Total scores range from 0-15 for the following sub-scales: immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition. Higher scores indicate higher performance for all three sub-scales.
Time frame: 6 months
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the DSST at 8 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test at 8 weeks. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher cognitive function.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the DSST at 12 weeks
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test at 12 weeks. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher cognitive function.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Change from Baseline Cognition as Assessed by the DSST at 6 months
Differential scores from baseline cognitive impairments assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test at 6 months. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher cognitive function.
Time frame: 6 months
Change from Baseline Hippocampal Volume as Assessed with MRI at 6 months
Differential hippocampal volumes between baseline and 6 months as assessed with structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Time frame: 6 months
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Douglas Mental Health University Institute