Mood disorders in children and adolescents: Psychopharmacological treatment

Mood disorders are the leading causes of morbidity, and mortality in childr en and adolescence. As a result, many adolescents are treated with psychoph armacologic agents such as: antidepressants and mood stabilizers. To date, research into the safetly and efficacy of these medications has lagged behi nd clinical practice. Several controlled trials of antidepressants in this population have recently been completed or are ongoing, yet few controlled trials of mood stabilizers have been conducted. Although acute efficacy of antidepressants is being addressed many questions remain about pharmacologi cal treatment of early-onset mood disorders. This article will focus on unm et research needs for the psychopharmacologic treatment of child and adoles cent mood disorders. (C) 2001 Society of Biological Psychiatry.