As more becomes known about Bipolar Disorder, its etiology, diagnosis, and treatment, the International Conference on Bipolar Disorder has emerged as an important vehicle for the dissemination of information on the subject. Each of the previous conferences has seen an increasing number of researchers, academicians, and clinicians gather to discuss the latest advances in Bipolar Disorder research as presented by leading international experts.

The Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder will present information on: classifying bipolar disorders; treatment of bipolar depression; advances in neurobiology and genetics; psychoeducation and psychotherapy; medical risk prevention and intervention; and international perspective on bipolar disorder.

Multiple concurrent sessions on clinical trial data, genetics and neuroimaging, psychosocial treatments, childhood bipolar disorder, diagnostic issues, substance abuse, medical comorbidity and women’s reproductive health will be held throughout the meeting. The conference will be held June 7, 8, and 9, 2007. As in the past, poster sessions will be held on the evenings of June 7 and 8. The well received “Rapid Communications” sessions will also be repeated this year.

Presentations during the first two days of the conference will be technical and geared toward academic researchers and research-oriented clinicians. Psychiatrists, psychologists, neuroscientists and pharmacologists interested in bipolar disorder should find the content of this first phase of the conference useful in their research and practice.

The third day of the conference will include plenary sessions on international perspectives as well as a more focused session on the future of diagnostic criteria in bipolar disorder. There will be an advocacy/researcher dialogue, and advanced psychotherapy workshops focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy, family focused therapy, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. These sessions will be appropriate to audiences that include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other mental health care workers, as well as individuals who have bipolar disorder and their families. Several of the Saturday workshops will be focused on issues relevant to advocacy for bipolar disorder.

Individuals or institutions interested in participating in the poster or rapid communications sessions are invited to submit abstracts summarizing the proposed content of the material to be presented. The abstracts are to be published in the journal, "Bipolar Disorders", Volume 9, Supplement 1, 2007 - Abstract Book for the Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder. Please follow the abstract preparation guidelines and submit the requested materials no later than January 15, 2007. No more than two abstracts per first author will be considered. The program will be of considerable interest to a broad range of mental health professionals. The breadth of the presentations should attract academic researchers, neuroscientists, pharmacologists, clinicians, and practitioners, in university settings as well as in private practice. The aspect of maintenance treatment and psychotherapeutic methodology will also be of interest to psychologists, social workers, nurses and others.

We look forward to seeing you in June, 2007.  If you have any questions related to the abstract submission or the conference in general, please contact Mary K. Healy at (412) 802‑6912/ healymk@upmc.edu or Maria Peña-Jordan at (412) 802-6917/ penajordanmi@upmc.edu.