Safety and Efficacy of MEM 1003 Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Patients With Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar affective disorder is one of the most common, severe, and persistent mental illnesses. It is characterized by periods of deep, prolonged, and profound depressions that alternate with periods of excessively elevated and/or irritable mood (mania). The pathophysiology of bipolar disorder is complex, and can include an inheritable component, administration of antidepressant medications, behavioral sensitization processes, and neuronal calcium dysregulation that leads to apoptosis of critical brain circuitry that regulates emotion. Addressing the dysregulation in calcium levels in the central nervous system by administering compounds such as MEM 1003 may have the potential for altering the cyclical course or progression of bipolar disorder.

MEM 1003 is the (+)-enantiomer of a dihydropyridine that has been optimized for central nervous system activity. It inhibits L-type Ca2+ channels and within the anticipated human dosing range has more benign cardiovascular effects than other DHP L-Type calcium channel modulators.

Inclusion criteria

• bipolar I disorder with acute manic or mixed episode, with or without psychotic features
• YMRS score of at least 20
• history of at least one previous manic or mixed episode requiring treatment in the last 10 years

Exclusion criteria

• history of failing to respond to treatment with two or more adequate trials of approved anti-manic medications for the current episode
• Axis I or Axis II disorder (other than bipolar I disorder) that requires treatment or has been the primary subject of treatment in the past 3 months
• defined substance abuse or dependency within the 3 months
• schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder
• suicidal or danger to others