Investigation of Lithium on Signal Transduction, Gene Expression and Brain Myo-Inositol Levels in Manic Patients

Investigation of Lithium on Signal Transduction, Gene Expression and Brain Myo-Inositol Levels in Manic Patients

This study investigates the effects of Lithium treatment on signal transduction pathways, gene expression and brain neurochemistry and structure in patients with Bipolar disorder. It is hypothesized that specific changes in these markers will correlate with lithium treatment responsiveness.

This study investigates the effects of blinded lithium treatment longitudinally in patients with bipolar disorder. At baseline and at multiple time points following the initiation of lithium treatment over 4 or more weeks, measures of signal transduction pathways, gene expression and brain neurochemistry and structure were obtained. It is hypothesized that modulation of these measures will be predictive of lithium treatment responsiveness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet diagnostic criteria for Bipolar Mood Disorder determined by DSM-IV (SCID)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Meeting criteria for any other DSM-IV axis I disorder
• Psychoactive substance abuse or dependence within the past 1 year
• Medical conditions placing patients at increased risk for lithium treatment (including renal disease, hepatic disease, hematological disease)
• Devices/implants or conditions which preclude MRI investigation (including cardiac pacemaker/ICD, aneurysm clips, neurostimulator device, metallic fragments in or near the eye,claustrophobia)