This document summarizes research on bipolar disorder in elderly patients. It finds that mania in elderly patients may be due to evolution of the disease from younger ages or newly emerging, and can be linked to underlying vascular or degenerative disorders. The research also finds that mania in elderly patients may be more influenced by vascular disease. Effective pharmacotherapy requires consideration of any underlying organic diseases. The clinical presentation does not necessarily diminish with age, and rapid cycling, paranoia, aggression and dysphoria may increase with age. Neuroleptic medications require careful use in elderly patients due to risks of adverse effects, while mood stabilizers have been shown to be as effective as in younger patients.

1. .
Introduction: Bipolar disorder in elderly patients
may present as an evolution of the disease
initiated in younger stages or as an entity newly
emerging. In addition, mania in the elderly, has
characteristics that make it different from the
adult. These disorders can be correlated with
underlying vascular or degenerative
disorders.(1)
Methods: Review of the relevant literature by
searching PUBMED, limited to studies of greater
scientific hierarchy.
Results: The existence of changes in the manic
phase motivated by the influence of vascular
disease, as well as the importance of the
changes experienced in therapy at the rate of
underlying organic disease described. The
useful pharmacotherapeutic approach in this
case is discussed.
The evolution of mania in the elderly: A case study
Bibliografía:
1. Agüera L, Cervilla J, Martín M; Psiquiatría geriátrica.2º
Edicion.Trastorno Bipolar; 2006(19): 436-443
2. Agüera L, Sánchez M, Martín M, Olivera J, Azpiazu P,
Mateos R. Guía Esencial de Psicogeriatría. Trastornos
afectivos . 2015
Martínez Pérez I(1); García Sánchez F(2) , Lopez Eugenio A , Felices Quesada ME ,Gonzalez Gáldamez AL
Piqueras Acevedo MD (4) , Gil Sánchez A (5), Belmar Simo A(4), García Briñol C J(4).
1 Residencia Psicogeriátrica “Virgen del Valle” ( Murcia) 2 Hospital General Universitario Virgen de la
Salud (Elda) 4Hospital General Universitario “Santa Lucía” (Cartagena)
Conclusions:
-The most recent research points in the
direction of a more organic for mania late age-
related substrate. The diverse etiology requires
differential diagnosis for addressing the
underlying causes(1)-
The clinic does not dim with age, but increases
the tendency to develop rapid cycling as age
progresses. It is also more frequent occurrence
of paranoid and aggressive traits, especially in
situations of confrontation, along with increased
dysphoria.(2)
-The therapeutic management by neuroleptics
require very careful attention, because of the
vulnerability of this group to develop adverse
effects. Mood stabilizers use has been
demonstrated as effective as in young.(2)