These findings suggest that monitoring studies increase the risk for postictal psychiatric events, which neurologists need to be familiar with, as they represent important morbidity associated with these studies.

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Objective In spite of growing numbers of elderly there are few treatment studies on late-life bipolar disorder (BD). This was a 12-week prospective, open-label trial to assess efficacy and tolerability of adjunct asenapine in non-demented elderly (≥60 years) with sub-optimal previous response to BD treatments. Methods Asenapine was initiated at 5 mg/day and titrated as tolerated. Effects on global psychopathology were measured with Clinical Global Impression, Bipolar version (CGI-BP) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Mood polarity severity was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Other outcomes included the WHO-Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS II). Results Fifteen individuals were enrolled (mean age 68.6, SD 6.12), 53% female, 73% Caucasian, 13% African-American, 7% Asian). There were 4/15 (27%) individuals who prematurely terminated study while 11/15 (73%) completed study. There were significant improvements from baseline on BPRS (P<.05), on CGI overall (P<.01), and on CGI mania (P<.05) and depression (P<.01) sub-scales. Mean dose of asenapine was 11.2 (SD 6.2) mg/day. The most common reported side effects were gastrointestinal discomfort (n=5, 33%), restlessness (n=2, 13%), tremors (n=2, 13%), cognitive difficulties (n=2, 13%), and sluggishness (n=2, 13%). Conclusions Elders with BD had global improvements on asenapine. Most reported adverse effects were mild and transient, but adverse effects prompted drug discontinuation in just over one-quarter of patients. While risks vs. benefits in older people must always be carefully considered, asenapine may be a treatment consideration for some non-demented geriatric BD patients.