Variability of brain lithium levels during maintenance treatment: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.
In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to determine the relationship between serum and brain lithium levels in bipolar patients (n=25). Over the broad range of serum lithium levels observed, the correlation (r=.68) with brain lithium levels was high. This correlation was much weaker (r=.39) when limited to only those patients with serum lithium levels in the range of 0.6-1.0 mmol/l. This variability may account for failure of lithium prophylaxis in some patients who have serum lithium levels in the therapeutic range.
Sachs
G S
GS
Harvard Bipolar Research Program, Consolidated Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Renshaw
P F
PF
Lafer
B
B
Stoll
A L
AL
Guimarães
A R
AR
Rosenbaum
J F
JF
Gonzalez
R G
RG
D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016651:Lithium Carbonate