Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that help healthcare providers find better ways to manage diseases. Clinical trials can be sponsored by doctors, medical groups, federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations.

How clinical trials work

A new treatment is usually tested in laboratories and then on animals. If these tests show the treatment seems safe and may be effective, it is then tested in humans through clinical trials.

If the clinical trials confirm the safety and effectiveness of the new treatment, it can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Then it can be made available to patients.

The Stanley Medical Research Institute is a nonprofit organization. It supports research to find better treatments for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

Finding a clinical trial

• The clinical trials supported by the Stanley Medical Research Institute are listed in a special section of the institute's Web site.
• A listing of clinical trials, searchable by topic and by the U.S. state where they are being conducted, can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial for bipolar disorder, it's a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Next: Talking with Your Healthcare Provider