Welcome to the ASCEnD Trial

The ASCEnD Trial

The ASCEnD Trial is a clinical trial designed to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an / combination as a treatment for bipolar depression. The trial aims to recruit 270 adults with bipolar depression from and care services across 9 centres in the UK. These participants will be to receive either the aripiprazole/sertraline combination or .

You can find out which sites around the UK are recruiting here.

Our Sites

Register your interest in the ASCEnD trial

The ASCEnD study is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust
The ASCEnD trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme- Project reference number NIHR132773.
The ASCEnD trial is managed by Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU)- UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Unit
The ASCEnD trial has been developed in collaboration with a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) organised by the McPin Foundation.

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Study background

A previous small trial indicated a
combination of the antipsychotic aripiprazole with an antidepressant may be effective in bipolar depression, with a reduced burden of side-effects compared to current treatments. It is now time for a larger trial to see if this combination works.

Find out more

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How can I take part?

You may be eligible to take part in this trial
if you have bipolar disorder, are currently depressed and meet other criteria as assessed by the study doctor.

Find out more