A 60-patient randomized trial of lithium loading for acute bipolar I mania reported faster serum lithium attainment than standard titration and a larger 14-day Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) change score, but the same accepted manuscript says absolute YMRS scores at Days 3, 7, and 14 were not significantly different between the 2 arms when …
Multiple system atrophy is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease with no proven disease-modifying therapy. A 2026 review by Jeong and colleagues tracks two decades of repurposed-drug trials, with one recent positive Phase 2 result.1 Research Highlights Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal α-synuclein disorder distinct from Parkinson’s disease. It progresses faster than PD (median …
Lithium prescribing during pregnancy sits in a knot of competing risks. The teratogenicity data have been recalibrated dramatically since the 1970s, while the postpartum-relapse data have moved in the opposite direction. Most popular framing still treats lithium as a uniquely dangerous fetal exposure to be avoided when possible. The new Chauhan UK cohort shows what …
Social media has emerged as a pivotal source of real-world evidence, especially in understanding patient experiences and perceptions regarding the treatment of severe mental disorders such as Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (SRD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD). Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, a comprehensive analysis of 893,289 tweets between 2008 and 2022 revealed significant …
Lithium is a naturally occurring element that’s commonly prescribed in the format of “lithium carbonate” for the prophylaxis and/or management of bipolar disorder. Additionally, lithium is sometimes prescribed as an adjunct to treat refractory cases of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Throughout treatment, lithium is understood to modulate numerous aspects of a user’s neurophysiology to …
Elemental lithium was first discovered by Johann August Arfvedson in 1817 and was later isolated via electrolysis of lithium oxide (Li2O) through a joint effort of William Thomas Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy. In the 19th century, scientists discovered that lithium was capable of dissolving uric acid crystals isolated from kidneys, and for this reason, …
Lithium is a naturally occurring element that is used to treat mania in cases of bipolar disorder. Additionally, Lithium tends to have a stabilizing effect on the mood, hence it is referred to as a “mood stabilizer.” This means that a person taking it will have a more even-keel, balanced mood and will be less …