title: [Mechanism of action of lithium: intracellular signaling pathways].
abstract: Lithium is highly effective in the treatment of bipolar disorders and has multiple effects on embryonic development, glycogen synthesis, hematopoiesis and other biological processes. However, the mechanism of lithium action is still unclear. A variety of enzymes have been proposed as potential targets of lithium action, including inositol monophosphatase, a family of second messenger, and the protein kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3. This article proposes that multiple actions of lithium are critical for its therapeutic effects, and that these complex effects stabilize neuronal activities, support neural plasticity and provide neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. zorrilla@fmed.uba.ar
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorrilla Zubilete
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006003:Glycogen; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D011494:Protein Kinases; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; C021822:myo-inositol-1 (or 4)-monophosphatase
vernacular_title: Mecanismo de acción del litio: caminos de señalización intracelular.