Long-acting antipsychotic (LAI) medications are frequently prescribed in schizophrenia, but less often in patients with bipolar disorder. Patients with bipolar disorder are frequently non-adherent to treatment, which is notable when considering long-acting injectables. Some patients favor the convenience of long-acting injectables with bipolar disorder. The use of LAIs are frequently used in patients who have experienced multiple episodes – consideration should be given to consider them early in the course of the condition.
Mauricio Tohen, MD, DrPH, MBA is University Distinguished Professor and the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque NM, USA. Dr. Tohen is a member of the IBPF Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr Tohen was born and raised in Mexico City. He earned his medical degree from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and his Doctorate in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Harvard University (1988). His postdoctoral training included a residency in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto (1979-1982) where he also obtained a DPsych (Diploma) in Psychiatric Research, and a fellowship at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Psychopharmacology (1982-1985). Dr Tohen also obtained an MBA degree from the Indiana University Kelly School of Business.
He was the Clinical Director of the Bipolar and Psychotic Disorders Program at McLean Hospital (1988-1997). In 1997 he joined Lilly Research Laboratories where he reached the senior most scientific rank of Distinguished Lilly Scholar. From 2009-2013 he was the Head of the Division of Mood & Anxiety Disorders and the Krus Endowed Tenured Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio.
Among numerous awards, Dr Tohen received a National Service Award in Psychiatric Epidemiology from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Harvard University. He also received a FIRST award from NIMH, the Pope Award from McLean Hospital, a NARSAD Young Investigator Award and in 2011 the Simon Bolivar Award from the American Psychiatric Association for outstanding contribution to education, research and overall achievement in Psychiatry and leadership in Hispanic Psychiatry. From 2010 to 2012, Dr. Tohen was the President of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. He was the President of the American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry (2014-2016). Read Dr. Tohen’s full bio here.