Thirty thousand Sardinians are affected by bipolar disorders: a pathology that costs around 180 million euros every year. The problem will be at the center of the "Standalone meeting" of the European Network on bipolar disorders, organized by the University Hospital of Cagliari, where around forty researchers from all over Europe are expected, as well as Sardinian specialists, doctoral students and post-graduate students. It started today at 11am, in room A of the Faculty of Economics, in via Sant'Ignazio 76, and will end tomorrow, Friday 3 May, starting at 9am.
Two days of full immersion on the priorities of clinical and basic research and scientific planning on bipolar disorder, as well as on the economic and social impact of the disease. «A conference – explains Mirko Manchia, psychiatrist at the AOU of Cagliari and director of the School of Specialization – which we organized to consolidate the scientific collaborations underway and promote interest in research among young scholars». An event that aims to develop awareness of bipolar disorder, coordinated by Professor Manchia and Professor Alessio Squassina of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and by the working group of the Complex Psychiatry Structure of the Aou.
«Despite the pathology representing an important problem both in clinical and socioeconomic terms - says Professor Manchia - research still struggles to make progress on the knowledge of the biological bases, on the identification of new treatments and prevention strategies. The European Network promotes the study at different levels, both preclinical and clinical and translational (from the laboratory to the clinic)".
The conference was opened by Professor Eva Z. Reininghaus, from the University of Graz, and Professor Ole A. Andreassen, from the University of Oslo. The Network meets twice a year to discuss analysis projects, dissemination activities and training for young people. This year, Cagliari was unanimously chosen to host the meeting.