Status of bipolar disorder research

Abstract

Background Bibliometric research has used publication or funding databases to compare the amount of research activity on different illnesses. Only one study has examined bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in this way, and it was restricted to one database. Aims The primary aim is to compare levels of research activity in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Secondary aims are to examine how research activity on the disorders varies over time and across scientific fields. Method The numbers of publications, projects, journals and funding awards on bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were extracted from nine computer databases to compare research activity on the two conditions. Results Ratios (bipolar disorder: schizophrenia) ranged from 1:1.3 for the number of research funding awards to 1:7.6 for the number of clinical trials. Conclusions There is a relative dearth of research activity on bipolar disorder compared with schizophrenia.