On the safety of long-term treatment with lithium.
Thirteen patients with bipolar affective illness who had received lithium therapy for 1-5 years were tested retrospectively for evidence of cortical dysfunction. Data on patients younger than 55 show no abnormalities on the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery and suggest that chronic lithium therapy is relatively safe. Significantly elevated Halstead Impairment indexes were observed among elderly patients, but these data are difficult to interpret.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests
D008094:Lithium