Multiple Mechanisms of Lithium Action

Lithium has therapeutic and prophylactic effects on both the manic and depressive phases of bipolar affective disorder, yet the mechanism of lithium’s therapeutic action is not clear. Numerous biochemical effects of lithium have been identified and some of these may be a component of the therapeutic response. One of the current challenges is to distinguish critical effects from the many known biochemical actions of lithium, many of which may contribute to side effects or lead to toxicity [1]. We will summarize six theories of lithium action that have emerged in the last decade.