title: A fully integrated new paradigm for lithium's mode of action - lithium utilizes latent cellular fail-safe mechanisms.
abstract: It is proposed that lithium's therapeutic effects occur indirectly by augmenting a cascade of protective "fail-safe" pathways pre-configured to activate in response to a dangerous low cell [Mg++] situation, eg, posttraumatic brain injury, alongside relative cell adenosine triphosphate depletion. Lithium activates cell protection, as it neatly mimics a lowered intracellular [Mg++] level.
authors.affiliation: South Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Longbridge CMHT, Rubery, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Arthur Ernst
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: van Woerkom
keywords: GSK-3; PRPP; TRPM-7; carbamazepine; inositol; lithium; magnesium; traumatic brain injury; valproate