Bipolar disorder is a common, life-long, progressive disease that typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality (Lish et al., 1994). Family studies have shown that offspring of parents with bipolar disorder have a 30% chance of developing a mood disorder, while children with both parents with a mood disorder (with at least one with bipolar disorder) have a 70% chance of developing a mood disorder (Goodwin and Jamison 1990). Indeed, children (< 18 years old) have an even greater risk for developing bipolar disorder if they have a parent with the disorder (reviewed in Lapalme et al., 1997; DelBello and Geller, 2002; Chang and Steiner, 2003). Since the clinical manifestations of bipolar disorder often present early in life and may worsen with age, it is imperative that this illness is recognized and treated as readily as possible. Bipolar disorder may have a number of prodromal or early-onset presentations that do not include syndromal mania. These prodromes may include cyclothymia, dysthymia, and subsyndromal manic, depressive, and mixed affective symptoms (Chang et al., 2000, reviewed in Lapalme et al., 1997).

There have been several investigations of divalproex for the treatment of mood symptoms in children at familial risk for bipolar disorder (Chang et al., 2002; Findling et al., 2002). Chang et al., found a significant reduction in mood symptoms and improvement in overall functioning following treatment with divalproex in 23 children who did not have bipolar I disorder but who were diagnosed with mood symptoms/syndromes and who had a parent with bipolar disorder (Chang et al., 2002). Similarly, Findling et al. reported that children with mood symptoms and a multigenerational family history of bipolar disorder had a significant reduction in mood symptoms when treated with divalproex compared with placebo (Findling et al., 2002). To our knowledge, there have been no studies evaluating the use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of children at familial risk for developing bipolar disorder who are diagnosed with mood disorders other than bipolar I disorder.

Controlled investigations suggest that quetiapine is effective for the treatment of mania in adults and adolescents (Adityanjee and Schulz, 2003; Sachs et al., 2002; DelBello et al., 2002). Additionally, quetiapine is particularly well-tolerated and safe in children and adolescents (DelBello et al., 2002; Findling, 2003). Our group has reported that children at risk for bipolar disorder exhibit neurochemical abnormalities, suggesting neuronal damage may occur prior to the onset or early in the course of a mood disorder. Furthermore, recent laboratory studies suggest that quetiapine may have neuroprotective properties (Xu et al., 2002). Therefore, quetiapine is the ideal choice for the treatment of adolescents at familial risk for developing bipolar disorder who are presently exhibiting a mood disorder.