Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be included in the study patient must meet criteria A, C, D, E, F, G plus any 1 of the 3 criteria listed in section B.

A. Patients meeting DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder, I or II

B.

1. Patients meeting DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for a manic/hypomanic episode with the simultaneous presence of (or rapid alteration within minutes) of at least three DSM-IV depressive symptoms excluding psychomotor agitation or
2. Patients meeting DSM-IV symptomatic criteria for a hypomanic/manic episode for a period of 2 days or longer, with the simultaneous presence of (or rapid alteration within minutes) of at least three DSM-IV depressive symptoms excluding psychomotor agitation or
3. Patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for a depressive episode associated with at least three DSM-IV manic/hypomanic symptoms

C.MADRS of ≥14

D.YMRS of ≥ 14

E. Age 13years to 75 years

F. Male or female

G. Outpatient

Exclusion Criteria:

1. illness precluding the use of LAM
2. Alcohol/drug dependence in the past one month
3. patients with a history of a rash on LAM
4. CNS neoplasms, demyelinating diseases, degenerative neurological condition or active CNS infection
5. history of seizure, known EEG with frank paroxysmal activity, known CT of brain showing gross structural abnormalities, cerebral vascular disease by history or structural brain damage from trauma
6. patients currently taking LAM