Lithium treatment in affective disorders: The significance of strongly elevated erythrocyte choline levels

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-69
Author(s):  
F. Flentge ◽  
C.J. Slooff
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Response ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Lithium Treatment ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Lithium Salts ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Depressive Patients

In manic-depressive patients treated with lithium salts the transport of choline over the erythrocyte membrane is strongly inhibited, resulting in dramatically increased erythrocyte choline levels (for review see ref. 1). Whether or not there is a relationship between this effect and treatment response is not clear. Data on this issue are scarce possibly because the measurement of treatment response in lithium prophylaxis is very difficult and time consuming. Also the effect on erythrocyte choline is specific for lithium and not for manic-depressive illness. We will address here the question of a possible relation between erythrocyte choline and clinical effects of lithium.

Prediction of clinical course of bipolar manic depressive illness treated with lithium

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. B. Johnston ◽  
G. J. Naylor ◽  
E. G. Dick ◽  
S. E. Hopwood ◽  
D. A. T. Dick
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Lithium Concentration ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Depressive Patients

SYNOPSISA group of bipolar manic depressive patients attending a routine lithium clinic were investigated. The results suggest that, when on treatment with lithium, manic depressive patients with a good prognosis tend to have a higher erythrocyte Na-K ATPase and higher plasma and erythrocyte lithium concentrations than those with a poor prognosis. There was no evidence to suggest that the erythrocyte: plasma lithium ratio was useful in predicting clinical response to lithium therapy. There was also a positive correlation between plasma lithium concentration and Na–K ATPase activity, confirming that in manic depressive subjects lithium produces a rise in erythrocyte Na–K ATPase activity.

Did Manic–Depressive Patients Who Committed Suicide Receive Prophylactic or Continuation Treatment at the Time?

1988 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Schou ◽  
A. Weeke
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Admission ◽  
Ongoing Treatment ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Continuation Treatment ◽  
Adequate Dosage ◽  
Depressive Patients

Ninety-two Danish manic–depressive patients with a first psychiatric admission between 1969 and 1983, who committed suicide before 1 July 1986, were considered. Information on any prophylactic or continuation treatment at the time of the suicide was obtained. In 64 of the patients, every precaution seems to have been taken: 28 patients committed suicide during ongoing treatment; 10 while not receiving prophylactic treatment (not indicated); 7 while not in prophylactic treatment because the patients refused or did not tolerate such; and 19 while in prophylactic treatment with antidepressants (10), or lithium (6), or both (3), in usually adequate dosage. In 28 of the patients, suicide might have been obviated. Guidelines for improvement of suicide prevention in manic–depressive illness are presented.

Disturbance of Water and Sodium in a Manic-Depressive Illness

1986 ◽  
Vol 149 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Crammer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Aldosterone Secretion ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Depressive Patients ◽  
Frequent Observation

Specific questioning and frequent observation of a 69 year-old woman with cyclic bipolar manic-depressive illness showed that she had disturbances of thirst, appetite, bowel and bladder function and dramatic changes in body weight, in association with different phases of her mental illness. Examination of one manic phase under constant diet and inpatient control showed cardiovascular changes, sodium retention, body weight gain, with raised aldosterone secretion but steady vasopressin. There appears to be a sub-group of manic-depressive patients with evidence of disturbed hypothalamic functions as part of their mental illness, as shown particularly by changes in water and electrolyte metabolism.

Practical Aspects of Long-Term Treatment with Lithium

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 330-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain Glen
Keyword(s):  
Lithium Treatment ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Manic Depressive Illness ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Manic Depressive ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Long Term Therapy

There is no increase in the overall mortality of patients undergoing long-term lithium treatment compared with those receiving short-term treatment. Lithium causes a reduction in the incidence of suicide in patients suffering from manic depressive illness. Long-term treatment with lithium is more effective than treatment with imipramine or amitriptyline. Drug interactions may cause problems during long-term therapy with lithium. A reduction in plasma levels of lithium should be considered in stable patients on long-term prophylaxis. Discontinuation of therapy often results in a relapse. The toxicity of lithium is related to its effects on calcium transport.

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