This study investigates the effects of Lithium treatment on signal transduction pathways, gene expression and brain neurochemistry and structure in patients with Bipolar disorder. It is hypothesized that specific changes in these markers will correlate with lithium treatment responsiveness.
This study investigates the effects of blinded lithium treatment longitudinally in patients with bipolar disorder. At baseline and at multiple time points following the initiation of lithium treatment over 4 or more weeks, measures of signal transduction pathways, gene expression and brain neurochemistry and structure were obtained. It is hypothesized that modulation of these measures will be predictive of lithium treatment responsiveness.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
28
300mg PO, three times daily with dose titrated to obtain a therapeutic plasma level of 0.8 to 1.2meq/L) over the first week of treatment. Total duration is a minimum of 3 weeks. Medication is dispensed in the form of blinded research capsules.
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Brain myo-inositol levels
Time frame: 4 weeks
Signal transduction pathway measures
Time frame: 4 weeks
Gene expression levels
Time frame: 4 weeks
Brain volume
Time frame: 4 weeks
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