Under the leadership of the Mood Disorders Foundation (DUVAK), 27 of the world’s most distinguished scientists in the fields of mental health and neuroscience came together in Istanbul. Held at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Taşkışla on July 5–6, the 3rd Bipolar Summit Master Academy brought top experts in the field together for two days of groundbreaking scientific exchange. The summit addressed cutting-edge topics such as personalized approaches to bipolar disorder treatment, revolutionary genetic research, and new technologies that are shedding light on the mysteries of the brain.
Emphasizing that individualized treatment methods are becoming increasingly important in psychiatry, especially in treatment-resistant cases, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated: “At the core of this approach lies one of the most fundamental principles of medicine: There is no disease, only the patient. Treatment plans must be personalized by taking into account each individual's biological, psychological, and environmental characteristics.”
Hosting the event, Mood Disorders Foundation (DUVAK) Founding President and Bipolar Summit Congress Chair Prof. Ayşegül Yıldız remarked: “We held the first Bipolar Master Academy in 2012 in Cappadocia. Hosting the third edition this year is truly meaningful. Our goal is not only to produce science but also to guide future generations and open the doors of access to knowledge.”
Organized under the chairmanship of Prof. Ayşegül Yıldız (Yavuz), the Bipolar Summit Master Academy 2025 brought together 27 scientists from 12 countries including the U.S., Canada, the UK, and various European nations, in Istanbul.
During the two-day scientific event, neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and clinical specialists from around the world presented the latest research and treatment approaches on bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health issues. The summit, which attracted significant attention, focused on the most up-to-date developments in the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder, groundbreaking studies, and future treatment paradigms.
Topics discussed included the relationship between bipolar disorder and metabolism, current advancements in lithium treatment, safe psychiatric approaches during pregnancy and breastfeeding, TMS and modern ECT applications, genetic markers and personalized treatment, and new paradigms in the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar II disorder.
“Our goal is not only to produce science but to guide the next generation.”
Prof. Ayşegül Yıldız emphasized the mission that this summit serves for both the Mood Disorders Foundation and herself: “Hosting the third edition of the Bipolar Master Academy is highly significant. As scientists, our mission isn’t only to produce research, and it is also to guide younger generations and open up paths to knowledge. Events like this are invaluable for young, curious, and eager minds. With its young minds, patients in need of treatment, and the international networks demonstrated here, Türkiye has a remarkable potential to become a global leader. The first step in transforming this potential into real value is to place universal science and its principles ahead of personal interests. Patients in Türkiye deserve the same quality of care as those anywhere else in the world. Moreover, the gratitude they express in response to good service and correct treatment approaches is overwhelming.”
Clinical experience matters in science, but evidence is the foundation
Dr. Yıldız continued: “Clinical experience is of course important in science. But the backbone of scientific guidance is evidence-based knowledge. When we proceed with accurate data analysis and interpretation, we move much closer to success in treatment. What we’ve been working on here is precisely this: for years, we’ve mathematically modeled the efficacy and side effects of medications. We also closely follow the clinical research of new, not-yet-marketed drug candidates. Incorporating this data into our models allows us to forecast both effectiveness and potential side effects. When we use this mathematical approach in medication selection, the entire treatment strategy shifts to a whole new dimension. The result is a significantly higher success rate in therapy.”
She also emphasized Turkish doctors’ eagerness to learn: “The hall is full. This shows that there is a strong appetite for learning and significant brain capacity in Türkiye. Our potential is no different from the rest of the world, and what matters is opening the right doors.”
Diagnosing based on first impressions is unrealistic!
Psychiatrist and President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stressed that bipolar disorder is a medical condition and said: “It is not realistic to diagnose someone based solely on a first impression. However, some behaviors may indicate a predisposition to bipolar disorder. These individuals often experience mood swings that can be described as ‘living four seasons in a single day.’ They might lavish praise on something in the morning, then heavily criticize or even express hatred toward it in the afternoon. Their emotional shifts are rapid, for example, they may start crying and then suddenly burst into laughter. These fluctuating moods are also evident in their interpersonal relationships. Even within a single conversation, they may transition between multiple emotional states. These intense and variable emotional responses are common indicators in mood disorders.”
Some patients experience only manic episodes
Noting that one aspect of bipolar disorder is depression and the other is mania, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated: “In classic bipolar disorder cases, some patients experience only manic episodes, without ever showing symptoms of depression. This is especially common in Bipolar Type I disorder. In Bipolar Type II, however, there are recurring depressive episodes accompanied by hypomanic periods. Bipolar disorder is a condition that lies on the mood disorder spectrum and includes many subtypes. Depression is also a subgroup within this spectrum. Individuals with bipolar depression may exhibit very severe depressive symptoms, sometimes accompanied by suicidal tendencies. Therefore, bipolar disorder belongs to a major psychiatric illness group that also includes panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other anxiety disorders.”
Understanding the brain’s link to bipolar disorder is a core goal
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that the Bipolar Master Academy is a prestigious gathering of clinicians and academics from around the world who study mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder, and contribute to scientific research and patient care in this area: “The event featured sessions sharing comprehensive literature, clinical experiences, and new treatment approaches for resistant cases. Evidence-based treatment protocols, the role of genetic algorithms in treatment planning, and personalized therapeutic strategies were the key highlights. One of the fundamental goals is to understand the connection between bipolar disorder and the brain, as it is known that the cognitive, emotional, and decision-making systems of the brain do not work in harmony in individuals with bipolar disorder.”
"There is no disease, only the patient"
In a presentation titled “LORETA QEEG Method and Personalized Treatment in Mood Disorders”, moderated by Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Psychiatrist Prof. Nesrin Dilbaz, Prof. Tarhan underscored the growing importance of personalized treatment in psychiatry, particularly in treatment-resistant cases: “At the foundation of this approach lies the core principle of medicine: There is no disease, only the patient. The course, symptoms, and response to treatment of the same diagnosis can differ greatly from one person to another. Therefore, treatment plans must be personalized by considering each individual’s biological, psychological, and environmental characteristics. The first step in personalized treatment is analyzing the individual’s genetic structure, especially how genes related to neurotransmitter systems like serotonin and dopamine function. This reveals the person’s neurochemical profile. At this stage, pharmacogenetics comes into play: It becomes possible to predict how quickly or slowly a patient will metabolize certain drugs, their likely response, and potential side effects. As a result, the trial-and-error process is minimized, and treatment becomes more targeted and effective.”
The other pillar: assessing brain function
Prof. Tarhan added that another essential pillar of personalized treatment is evaluating brain function: “Advanced brain imaging techniques help identify which areas of the brain show functional impairments. Especially with functional connectivity maps (functional connectomes), we can analyze the brain’s neural network structures. Whichever networks or areas are disrupted, treatment is planned to specifically target those structures and functions.
This approach allows for more effective, scientific, and personalized treatment tailored to the patient’s unique brain structure and function, ultimately increasing treatment success rates and minimizing wasted time and resources.”
Personalized psychiatry: no two patients are alike
One of the central themes of the summit was personalized treatment based on the recognition that no two patients are alike. Prof. Konstantinos Fountoulakis from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki described this approach as the “Holy Grail of medicine.” Highlighting the complexity of bipolar disorder, Prof. Fountoulakis described chronic bipolar depression, the most destructive phase, as the “ashes of a manic fire.” “No patient is like another. Our treatment strategy must be tailored to best meet that specific patient’s needs. This is not about improvising, and it is about deeply studying the individual’s characteristics,” he said, emphasizing the compassionate, human-centered side of modern psychiatry.
Unlocking the secret of lithium
A concrete example of the personalized treatment approach was presented by Prof. Frank Bellivier from the University of Paris. As the coordinator of the European project “R-LiNK,” which investigates why lithium, which is the primary medication for bipolar disorder, works in some patients but not in others, Prof. Bellivier stated they are on the verge of groundbreaking findings. “We are collecting blood and neuroimaging biomarkers to predict who will respond to lithium. Data collection is complete, and analyses are ongoing,”
he said. Sharing some exciting news, he added: “I am delighted to announce that a Turkish center in Istanbul will be participating in the next phase of the project.” From Denmark, Prof. Rene Ernst Nielsen presented the results of a large European study examining the effects of lithium on the kidneys. A first in the summit: the Lithium-Kidney session featured a nephrology expert. Prof. Mustafa Arıcı, faculty member of the Nephrology Department at Hacettepe University and Secretary General of the European Renal Association, shared vital insights into the kidney-lithium relationship.
A strong therapeutic alliance is the foundation of treatment
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Xenia Gonda from Semmelweis University in Budapest emphasized the “Biopsychosocial Approach” in her presentation: “Patients at high risk of suicide or those with active substance use disorders are often excluded from randomized controlled trials for methodological reasons. This limitation prevents us from developing evidence-based treatment guidelines for these special populations.” Dr. Gonda advised clinicians to take a proactive rather than reactive approach in managing the most challenging forms of bipolar disorder, recommending integrated multimodal interventions instead of relying on a single method. Most importantly, she emphasized that the strong bond formed with the patient should be seen as the foundation of effective treatment.
A two-day scientific gathering
As part of the event, participants received the Turkish version of the Bipolar Handbook, approved by Oxford University, along with a special international certificate of attendance. Young physician-researchers had the opportunity to directly engage with global scientific leaders.
The two-day summit drew significant attention to the booths of Üsküdar University and NPİSTANBUL Hospital. Topics discussed ranged from lithium’s compatibility with the kidneys, to epigenetic studies that could be Nobel contenders, from the link between metabolic syndrome and the brain, to the role of pharmacogenetics in personalized treatment.
The link between medical aesthetics and psychology was also addressed
Renowned medical aesthetics specialist Dr. Ali Kerim Diler was among the speakers. In a joint session with Prof. Ayşegül Yıldız, the summit broke new ground by exploring the unity of mind and body aesthetics.
As a gesture of appreciation, plaques of gratitude were presented to the supporters of the summit. Intern Dr. Helin Özdemir also received a certificate of appreciation and honor for her valuable contributions to the event.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)