Get involved in research
Join our Research Community
What is Bipolar UK's Research Community?
At Bipolar UK, we connect people affected by bipolar with opportunities to take part in research. We work closely with research partners to help recruit participants and ensure that as many people as possible can get involved. By participating in research, you can play a vital role in improving understanding and developing better support for everyone living with bipolar.
How can I take part in bipolar research?
You can get involved in research by becoming a participant in a study. Or you can give researchers advice based on your own lived experience of living with bipolar, or supporting someone with bipolar.
See current research opportunities
Why is getting involved in bipolar research so important?
Researchers and the organisations which fund research now understand that it is extremely important that, at all stages of research into mental illness, the work is informed by advice from those who have relevant lived experience.
What is Bipolar UK’s commitment to research participants?
As a research team, we make sure that every single research projects we partner with or help to recruit for meets all necessary ethical guidelines, and is consistent with Bipolar UK research values.
We try to make sure that payment is available for people who share their expertise. Depending on the funding that’s available, this is not always possible.
How can I join the research community?
To join our research community to help us and researchers understand bipolar better, please email research@bipolaruk.org and include ‘I’d like to join the Research Community’ in the subject line.
Current research opportunities
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Who is running the study?
This study is being run with the support of the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), working in partnership with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University.
What is involved in the study?
Very little is known about using antidepressants in patients living with bipolar depression. In this study, we will use a combination of an antidepressant (sertraline) and an antipsychotic (aripiprazole) and compare this combination with an antipsychotic medication called quetiapine.
All three medications are already used in the NHS, but we want to find out if using a sertraline/aripiprazole combination will be beneficial in reducing depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder. To do this, we are looking for 270 patients with bipolar in England who are currently experiencing a depressive phase to take part in the study.
Half of the patients in the trial, who will be chosen at random, will be offered the drug combination (aripiprazole and sertraline) and the other half will be offered quetiapine. You and your doctors will know exactly what medication you are prescribed.
We know that aripiprazole combined with an antidepressant like sertraline works well in people who are depressed but don’t have bipolar. This trial will confirm whether or not it also works in people who are depressed and do have bipolar.
If you take part in the trial, you will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires on a weekly basis. This will be done electronically (or over the phone), and you will receive a weekly support call from a member of the research team.
Who can apply for the study?
You can apply for this study if you:
- have bipolar and are currently experiencing depression
- may have bipolar and are currently experiencing depression
- are aged 18 or older
- live in England
- are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the trial
You must also live in – or can commute to – one of the following Health Trusts:
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
- Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust
- Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
What commitment would I have to make?
You will take part in the trial for 24 weeks. Taking part will involve one or two face-to-face appointments (most likely one), which will include:
- Confirming if you are eligible to take part. This will include completing some questionnaires, and discussing your medical history and medication.
- Discussing the trial with a trial doctor who will answer any questions you may have before you decide whether or not to take part. If you decide to take part you’ll be asked to sign a consent form.
You will be given up to £50 as a thank you for giving your time for the trial. You may also be reimbursed for reasonable travel costs.
How can I apply?
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Who is running the study?
This study is being run by Professors James Walters and Neil Harrison at Cardiff University, alongside Swansea, Bath, Bristol and Exeter Universities, and the Research Division of Bipolar UK.
The team at Cardiff has put together this introductory video as an overview of the project.
What is involved in the study?
If you take part, the research team will invite you to attend Cardiff University so you can through a series of assessments, which usually takes up to six hours. These assessments include questionnaires, height/weight test, a blood test, and neuroimaging scans.
The team at Cardiff has put together this information video to show you the site and explain what to expect.
Who can apply for the study?
You can apply for the study if you:
- can commute to Cardiff University (travel costs will be paid)
- are aged 18 or older
- have bipolar, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder, either with or without a current diagnosis
What commitment would I have to make?
The study will take place on one day, and take up to six hours, during which you will be supported by Research Assistants and Assistant Psychologists.
You will be paid £100 for your time on the day, and lunch will be provided.
Your travel costs will be paid. If you need support from a carer on the day, your carer’s travel costs will also be paid.
How can I apply?
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Who is running the study?
This study is being run by Professor Steven Marwaha at the University of Birmingham with sites located across:
- West Midlands (led by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust (BSMHT))
- East Midlands (led by Nottinghamshire Mental Health Trust)
- Northeast (led by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust)
- London (led by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Camden and Islington)
More sites may also be available.
What is involved in the study?
The trial involves taking a combination of lithium and quetiapine for the treatment of bipolar. This is compared to lithium by itself, or quetiapine by itself (otherwise known as monotherapies).
Participants in this trial are enrolled for 24 months and have access to a psychiatrist during the treatment to check on medication levels and any new episodes of bipolar.
Who can apply for the study?
You can apply for this study if you:
- have a diagnosis of bipolar type 1 or type 2 according to the DSM-5 manual, and confirmed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
- are aged 18 or older
- not currently in a mood episode (major depression, mixed episode, hypomania or mania)
You cannot apply for this study if you:
- have a substance dependence
- have a brain injury or illness leading to mood changes
- are currently at risk to yourself (your clinician will make an assessment)
- are unwell with a physical illness
- are planning pregnancy or are currently pregnant
What commitment would I have to make?
If you sign up for the trial, you can use your routine clinic visits to give the study team information at the following times:
- day one of the trial (known as baseline)
- at 12 months
- at 24 months
- every three months (check in)
As a thank you, you will receive £30 vouchers at the baseline, 12-month, and 24-month visits (a total of £90 in vouchers).
How can I apply?
For more information, reach out to the study team via combiner@trials.bham.ac.uk
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About the project
Research has shown that around 60% of children with parents who have bipolar can face their own mental health issues, which may lead to emotional and behavioural problems. These difficulties can increase stress for their parents and disrupt family life.
Currently, there are currently no available support programmes tailored specifically for individuals with bipolar.
Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI) is a comprehensive online programme which aims to provide parents with bipolar the tools they need to achieve emotional and behavioural stability for their children. By offering online support, IBPI also helps parents feel less stressed and more confident about their parenting skills.
To achieve these goals, the programme blends parenting support with practical training in managing bipolar symptoms. Accessible through electronic devices, IBPI covers areas, such as:
- emotional management
- stress reduction
- making parenting enjoyable
- helping children acquire new skills
What are we doing now?
The Bipolar UK research division is currently helping the IBPI study team to recruit participants.
Can I get involved?
The IBPI study team is actively recruiting, register your interest.
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AMBIENT-BD invites people with a diagnosis of bipolar to participate in a study investigating the relationship between sleep, body clock (circadian rhythms) and mood over an 18-month period.
Who is running the study?
The study is run by Professor Daniel Smith at the University of Edinburgh based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (ethically approved by East Scotland Research Ethics Committee).
What is involved in the study?
The study includes the following parts over an 18-month period:
- Study appointments - You will be required to attend 5 appointments (4 online and 1 in-person at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh) with the research team.
- Bedside sensor (Somnofy) - You will be provided with a contactless bedside sensor that will monitor your sleep over an 18-month period.
- Wristwatch monitor (Axivity) - You will be asked to wear a wristwatch for short periods that will monitor your physical activity levels and sleep.
- EMA assessments (MomenTUM mobile app) - You will also be asked to download a mobile application onto your smartphone to complete daily questions about your mood for 1 week every 4 months.
Who can apply for the study?
Inclusion criteria:
- aged over 16 years
- a confirmed diagnosis of bipolar disorder
- clinically euthymic in the last 1 month
- have a functional smartphone
- live in the UK
- ability to understand basic levels of English
Exclusion criteria:
- experiencing an episode of mania, hypomania or depression in the last 1 month before enrolling on the study
- inability to comply with the study design
What commitment would I have to make?
Participation on the study lasts 18-months from the baseline appointment.
You will be offered £15 as reimbursement for your time attending each study appointment (in total up to £75 for all 5 appointments).
Your travel to Edinburgh and overnight accommodation will be covered by the project up to £300.
You will be given a personalised summary sleep report at the end of your participation.
For more information, see the Ambient-BD Participant Information Sheet.
How can I apply?
You can learn more about the study and register your interest on the Ambient-BD website.
You can also directly email the study team on ambient-bd@ed.ac.uk.
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