First Onset Manic Episode in an 85 year Old Male: Whether Primary or Secondary Mania?

Abstract

Significant scientific research has lead to greater understanding in areas of neurobiology, genetics, classification and treatment in bipolar disorder. However late onset Bipolar disorder, regarding "organic" risk factors and in areas of treatment, remains a less researched area. Whether late onset bipolar disorder is a distinct entity or an artificial boundary exists from bipolar disorder of adult onset is not clear yet. Vascular risk factors have been well studied and have attained etiological status for depressive disorders; the role of risk factors and possible etiological role for manic episodes and bipolar disorder remain unclear. A case of first episode mania at 85 years is presented in the background of vascular risk factors.

Keywords

• late onset bipolar disorder
• transient ischemic attack
• vascular mania
• vascular risk factors