Estrogen modulators

What is estrogen for bipolar disorder?

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator that is used to treat breast cancer. Studies on the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder have demonstrated abnormalities in protein kinase C (PKC) signaling in manic states. Inhibition of PKC can result in antimanic effects. Currently, tamoxifen is the only relatively specific PKC inhibitor that is available for human use and that is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.

What is the evidence for tamoxifen?

Moderate quality evidence suggests large effects of greater improvement in acute mania symptoms with tamoxefin than with placebo, risperidone, haloperidol, olanzapine, caripraxine, lithium, carbamazepine, paliperidone, aripiprazole, asenapine, quetiapine, oxcarbazepine, licarbazepine, ziprasidone, valproate, verapamil, lamotrigine or topiramate. There were no differences in all-cause discontinuation of treatment.

November 2021

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Last updated at: 4:39 pm, 29th November 2021
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary
Tags:  Estrogen

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