Suicide Prevention by Lithium - the Lithium Intervention Study

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine the proposed suicide preventive effects of lithium in a randomized controlled trial within a group of individuals with depressive disorders. The hypothesis being tested is that lithium treatment will significantly reduce the risk for another suicide attempt.

Several studies have shown that there is a significantly increased risk of suicide related mortality in patients with a positive history of suicide attempts. This study is the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center trial focussing on the proposed suicide preventive effects of lithium in patients with suicidal behavior but not suffering from bipolar disorder or recurrent major depressive disorder. Patients with a recent history of a suicide attempt are treated with lithium or placebo during a 12 month-period. The hypothesis is that lithium treatment will lead to a 50 % reduction of suicidal behavior.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (5)

Outcomes