TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CEREBRAL PALSY: CHALLENGES IN ANTIPSYCHOTIC USE

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently coexists with psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder. Treating bipolar disorder in this population poses significant clinical challenges due to the clinical heterogeneity and comorbidities associated with CP. Adverse effects of antipsychotics tend to have a more profound impact on the quality of life in individuals with CP compared to the general population.Therefore, they represent a more serious clinical concern. This article aims to highlight the challenges of choosing antipsychotics for managing bipolar disorder in CP patients.To our knowledge, this topic has not been previously addressed in the literature. We propose that the antipsychotic selection should be guided by individual clinical characteristics, including CP subtype, mobility status, affected limbs, body mass index (BMI), and pre-existing orthopedic conditions. Personalized treatment may help providers better balance the risks of extrapyramidal symptoms and metabolic syndrome, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes and overall quality of life for this overlooked patient population.