Dr. Po Wang will cover the course of illness for bipolar disorders (emphasizing the depressive component) and will discuss the newest medication options, and how they differ from earlier treatment options. Bipolar disorders treatment has come a long way since the discovery of lithium in 1949. Treatment options and outcomes for bipolar disorders were limited and similar to schizophrenia prior to the 1990s’ “decade of the brain.” Surprisingly, the atypical antipsychotic medications that were developed primarily for schizophrenia treatment turned out to have important effects for bipolar disorders, including benefits for mania, mixed, and depressive episodes. Although mania is the characteristic feature of bipolar disorder, it is the depressive episodes that cause the most chronic disability.
Dr. Wang has expertise in the biology and treatment of bipolar and depressive disorders. Dr. Wang graduated from Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis), then attended Stanford Psychiatry Residency, where he also served as Chief Resident, then National Institutes of Mental Health T32-Fellow in bipolar disorders research. After completing training, Dr. Wang joined the faculty of Stanford. Drs. Ketter and Wang collaborated on establishing the Stanford Bipolar Disorders Clinic, and Dr. Wang continues an academic practice at Stanford.
Date: Tuesday, May 9
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
