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Previous Volume 331:591-598 September 1, 1994 Number 9 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Although over 40 years have elapsed since its effects on mania were first described,¹ lithium is still a mainstay in the treatment of mood disorders. Indeed, it remains the standard against which new mood-stabilizing, or thymoleptic, drugs are measured. This longevity is all the more remarkable given lithium's narrow therapeutic index and the lack of clarity about its mechanism of action. This review summarizes the history, pharmacology, efficacy, clinical use, and toxicity of lithium, with a brief discussion of other thymoleptic drugs proposed as alternatives or adjuncts to lithium.

History

Lithium, which has an atomic number of 3, is the first . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Neuropharmacology

Possible Antimanic Properties

Possible Antidepressant Properties

Possible Thymoleptic Properties

Pharmacokinetics

Efficacy in Mood Disorders

Bipolar Disorder

            Initial and Maintenance Treatment of Mania

            Initial and Maintenance Treatment of Bipolar Depression

Unipolar Depression

            Augmentation Therapy

            Initial and Maintenance Treatment

Clinical Use

Side Effects

Proposed Alternative or Adjunctive Treatments

Source Information

From the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Price at the Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park St., Rm. 335, New Haven, CT 06519.

References

Related Letters:

Lithium in the Treatment of Mood Disorders
Stern R., Price L. H., Heninger G. R.
Extract | Full Text  
N Engl J Med 1995; 332:127-128, Jan 12, 1995. Correspondence

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