Express Newsline - Mohali,India
*Lithium has been used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, sold under the names Carbolith, Duralith, Eskalith, Lithane, Lithizine, and Lithobid. ... http://www.expressnewsline.com/articles/fullstory0305-insight-Uses+of+Lithium-status-11-newsID-2242.html

Article:

Uses of Lithium
Publish Date : 3/16/2005 3:12:00 AM Source : Health Section ExpressNewsline.com

Lithium is a compound which has many calming effects. So, it is used to cure a variety of diseases.

*Lithium has been used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, sold under the names Carbolith, Duralith, Eskalith, Lithane, Lithizine, and Lithobid. Effectiveness is maximized when serum concentrations are maintained at 1.0-1.2 mmol/L. Bipolar disorder affects much of America. One percent of Americans have this disorder. On average, a person with bipolar will experience three to four episodes per year. However, bipolar disorder is a functioning disease. People with this disorder can function normally in society between episodes and, when properly medicated, even during mild episodes.

Lithium's effect on mood stabilization was first discovered by John Frederick Joseph Cade, and was published September 1949 in the Medical Journal of Australia. Cade was testing the effect of uric acid on mice. Because uric acid is insoluble, Cade choose the most soluble salt of it, lithium ureate. He discovered this compound had a calming effect on mice. After extensive testing, he discovered that while lithium had little effect on depressed patients, manic patients became much calmer after lithium use.

One of the main reasons that lithium is still used in treatment is its effectiveness in reducing symptoms and frequency of episodes. "the response rate is 70-80% for the initial and maintenance of mania, with a good response defined as fewer, less severe, and shorter manic or hypo manic episodes, although these episodes may continue to occur." Losses in or lower levels of effectiveness are often reported. This can occur because of patients who difficult to work with (i.e. those who are under-motivated, disadvantaged, or noncompliant) or because too board of a range of patients was considered in the trial or research.

Discontinuation of lithium treatment should occur only if absolutely necessary and even then must be done gradually. All studies show that gradual reduction causes a much lower risk of relapse than abrupt discontinuation. After discontinuation, the risk of suicide jumps to the level it was before treatment began, [and] for the first six to twelve months, the risk is many times more - roughly twenty fold."

* One of the other uses of lithium is in the treatment of suicide. This is mainly because of the close link between suicide and bipolar disorder. The suicide rate for those with bipolar disorder is approximately 20 percent. On average, lithium reduces suicide risk by at least six-fold, while abrupt stoppage of treatment greatly increases suicide risk.

*Recent studies have shown lithium may also be effective in treatment against AIDS and cancer.

Lithium's effect on AIDS is currently being studied by Vincent S. Gallicchio, Ph.D., director of international education at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. Combining lithium with AZT (Zidovudine) could cause fewer toxic effects and, by boosting immunity, could reduce the amount of virus in the body. The size and properties of lithium allow it to enter the cell nuclei and thus influence DNA. If lithium were found effective, says Gallicchio, "it would be ideal for use in poor countries where the disease is endemic and where governments can't afford to provide expensive antiviral treatment."

Other studies currently being conducted are looking at lithium treatment of cancer because lithium increases white blood cell count, helping to stave off the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

Lithium is already thought of as a miracle drug, and that would make it even more miraculous.