ENBREC (European Network of Bipolar Research Expert Centres) is a disease-oriented network designed to set up a EU-wide network of expert centres, specialized in research and care in bipolar disorders. The European added value is to share expertise in the different fields of research and to have access to large cohorts of patient. It is an FP7 project whith 6 countries involved.

ENBREC will provide an EU-integrated facility for research on epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and on the mechanisms of bipolar disorders.

A preliminary step was to develop a computerized medical file to collect in a same manner a minimum set of clinical data to perform observational studies. We also include a common cognitive battery. Patients will be re-assessed every 6 months. This systematic assessment is the minimum required to be involved as an expert centre of the network. In parallel, we will collect DNA samples to perform genetic studies on well-characterized patients. Moreover, data from scanners performed for diagnostic purpose will be pooled to provide a large sample of structural brain pictures.

Other modules are proposed in the framework of the expert centres for observational studies with a high frequency of assessment to be able to capture more detailed description in psychopathological variables and in treatment response.

This cohort will allow selecting and recruiting patients for interventional studies or in specific programmes of research. Large cohorts of well-characterized patients are needed to improve the knowledge of this heterogeneous disease and to translate research outcomes into health improvements.