The author reviews knew knowledge about bipolar disorder, including histo- ry, epidemiology, prognosis and economic aspects. The treatment is summa- rized in more details. The advantages and disadvantages of classical treatment of bipolar disorder and those of new anticonvulsants, e.g. lamotri- gine, gabapentine and topiramate are compared. Further own results concer- ning efficacy of lamotrigine in patients with depressive disorder are presented. The more advantageous pharmacokinetic and a broader spectrum of mechanism of efficacy, resp. more types of mechanis of efficacy may im- prove the therapeutic results in subtypes of bipolar disorder and in pharma- coresistent patients.

        Key words: bipolar disorder, new anticonvulsants, lamotrigine, gabapentine, topiramat.