Abstract
Objectives: To investigate if low-dose lithium may counteract the microstructural and metabolic brain changes proposed to occur in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. Methods: Hippocampal T2 relaxation time (HT2RT) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) measurements were performed prior to initiation and following three months of treatment in 11 UHR patients receiving low-dose lithium and 10 UHR patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU). HT2RT and 1H-MRS percentage change scores between scans were compared using repeated measures ANOVA and correlated with behavioural change scores. Results: Low-dose lithium significantly reduced HT2RT compared to TAU (p=0.018). No significant group by time effects was seen for any brain metabolites as measured with 1H-MRS, although myo-inositol, creatine, choline-containing compounds and NAA increased in the group receiving low-dose lithium and decreased or remained unchanged in subjects receiving TAU. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that low-dose lithium may protect the microstructure of the hippocampus in UHR states as reflected by significantly decreasing HT2RT. Larger scale replication studies in UHR states using T2 relaxation time as a proxy for emerging brain pathology seem a feasible mean to test neuroprotective strategies such as low-dose lithium as potential treatments to delay or even prevent the progression to full-blown disorder.
Keywords: Brain imaging, Lithium, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Psychosis, (Indicated) Prevention, Neuroprotection, Ultra-High Risk (UHR), At Risk Mental State (ARMS), Hippocampal T2 relaxation time (HT2RT), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Neuroprotective Effects of Low-dose Lithium in Individuals at Ultra-high Risk for Psychosis. A Longitudinal MRI/MRS Study
Volume: 18 Issue: 4
Author(s): Gregor E. Berger, Stephen J. Wood, Margaret Ross, Clare A. Hamer, R. Mark Wellard, Gaby Pell, Lisa Phillips, Barnaby Nelson, G. Paul Amminger, Alison R. Yung, Graeme Jackson, Dennis Velakoulis, Christos Pantelis, Husseini Manji and Patrick D McGorry
Affiliation:
Keywords: Brain imaging, Lithium, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Psychosis, (Indicated) Prevention, Neuroprotection, Ultra-High Risk (UHR), At Risk Mental State (ARMS), Hippocampal T2 relaxation time (HT2RT), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Abstract: Objectives: To investigate if low-dose lithium may counteract the microstructural and metabolic brain changes proposed to occur in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. Methods: Hippocampal T2 relaxation time (HT2RT) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) measurements were performed prior to initiation and following three months of treatment in 11 UHR patients receiving low-dose lithium and 10 UHR patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU). HT2RT and 1H-MRS percentage change scores between scans were compared using repeated measures ANOVA and correlated with behavioural change scores. Results: Low-dose lithium significantly reduced HT2RT compared to TAU (p=0.018). No significant group by time effects was seen for any brain metabolites as measured with 1H-MRS, although myo-inositol, creatine, choline-containing compounds and NAA increased in the group receiving low-dose lithium and decreased or remained unchanged in subjects receiving TAU. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that low-dose lithium may protect the microstructure of the hippocampus in UHR states as reflected by significantly decreasing HT2RT. Larger scale replication studies in UHR states using T2 relaxation time as a proxy for emerging brain pathology seem a feasible mean to test neuroprotective strategies such as low-dose lithium as potential treatments to delay or even prevent the progression to full-blown disorder.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
E. Berger Gregor, J. Wood Stephen, Ross Margaret, A. Hamer Clare, Mark Wellard R., Pell Gaby, Phillips Lisa, Nelson Barnaby, Paul Amminger G., R. Yung Alison, Jackson Graeme, Velakoulis Dennis, Pantelis Christos, Manji Husseini and D McGorry Patrick, Neuroprotective Effects of Low-dose Lithium in Individuals at Ultra-high Risk for Psychosis. A Longitudinal MRI/MRS Study, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212799316163
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212799316163 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Anticonvulsant Sulfonamides/Sulfamates/Sulfamides with Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitory Activity: Drug Design and Mechanism of Action
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Therapeutic Interest of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial Review 2015
Current Radiopharmaceuticals subject Index To Volume 2
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Apoptosis Induction by Thalidomide: Critical for Limb Teratogenicity but Therapeutic Potential in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Current Molecular Pharmacology The Microbial Quality Aspects and Decontamination Approaches for the Herbal Medicinal Plants and Products: An in-Depth Review
Current Pharmaceutical Design Biologically Active Selenophenes and Benzo[b]selenophenes
Current Organic Synthesis Conotoxins-New Vistas for Peptide Therapeutics
Current Pharmaceutical Design Development and Validation of 'Level A' In Vitro - In Vivo Correlation for Extended Release Tablets of Lamotrigine
Current Bioactive Compounds Dried Blood Spots: A New Tool for Tuberculosis Treatment Optimization
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial
Current Drug Safety Tau, Amyloid Beta and Deep Brain Stimulation: Aiming to Restore Cognitive Deficit in Alzheimer's Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial (Thematic Issue: Neuroinflammation a Common Link in Neurodegenerative Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders)
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Anticonvulsant Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Epileptic Seizures and Potential Mechanisms
Current Neuropharmacology Interleukin-1β Plays a Role in the Activation of Peripheral Leukocytes after Blood-Brain Barrier Rupture in the Course of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Current Neurovascular Research Trends in Mitochondrial Therapeutics for Neurological Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Mechanisms of Epileptiform Synchronization in Cortical Neuronal Networks
Current Medicinal Chemistry Neurochemical Markers in the Mammalian Brain: Structure, Roles in Synaptic Communication, and Pharmacological Relevance
Current Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Inflammatory Treatments for Chronic Diseases: A Review
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Drug Targets
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders