LATE MANIA .2. BIPOLAR ILLNESS EVOLUTION

The occurrence of mania in the elderly is under-estimated. Mania may i naugurate a late-onset bipolar illness, extend a unipolar depressive d isorder or rarely continue a early-onset bipolar illness. Early-onset bipolar illness frequently disappear after 60 years or is prolonged by reccurent depression. Late-onset bipolar illness may be preceded by s light disturbances of mood. These modalities underline two of the vari ous evolutions of bipolar illness. Only a prospective follow-up study could specify it.