The Deakin Edge

This is the conference auditorium in Federation Square where the conference of the Australasian Society for Bipolar and Depressive Disorders was held today. Half a day tomorrow. It has been an interesting and informative conference so far. Enough new and/or stimulating ideas to justify my attendance.

Took the Tsukens out for a meal this evening. There is an air of excitement along the South Bank. Tension rose through inability to reserve a table before we came. Then all the restaurants we thought we would like, had 45+ minute waits. We did find one which had space for the six of us, and we figured the food couldn't be too bad. Mrs Tsuken couldn't deal with the lasagne she ordered, and the other adults were a long way from being impressed with their meals.

The company made up for the meals. And the wine was good.

Papakostas talked of all the ideas for novel uses of established drugs, or new drugs to treat Treatment Resistant Depression.There are so many with very different mechanisms of action, that I suspect none works. And the strategy with the best evidence base for efficacy (adding lithium) was not mentioned.

I enjoyed meeting old friends and colleagues from here in Australia, especially as it is some years since I last attended a conference in Australia. And being able to introduce my son, and be with him during the conference, was the best.