Currently recruiting people over the age of 18, who currently have bipolar and are in a depressive episode. If you aren’t sure if you are eligible because you don't have a diagnosis of bipolar, take the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. If you get “you may have bipolar” you may be eligible for the study.

Find out more about the ASCEnD trial here:

Get involved 

Study Overview

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.

You can apply if you: 

• Have bipolar
• Are currently experiencing depression
• Are over the age of 18
• Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the trial

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. 
  
The study is taking part across 10 Mental Health Trusts in England:

• Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust 
• Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust
• Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
• Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
• Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust
• Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Time and payment:

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:

• 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.
• Confirming if you are eligible to take part. This will include completing some questionnaires, and discussing your medical history and medication.

You will be given up to £50 as a thank you for giving your time for the trial. You may be also reimbursed for reasonable travel costs. 

Find more information about the trial here 

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Last updated: 24 april 2025