Lithium and valproic acid treatment effects on brain chemistry in bipolar disorder

Seth D. Friedman, Stephen R. Dager, Aimee Parow, Fuyuki Hirashima, Christina Demopulos, Andrew L. Stoll, In Kyoon Lyoo, David L. Dunner, Perry F. Renshaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

126 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Prior work reported elevated gray matter (GM) lactate and Glx (glutamate + glutamine + GABA) concentrations in unmedicated patients with bipolar disorder (BP) compared with healthy controls (HC). This study examined whether lithium (Li) and valproic acid (VPA) treatment modulated these chemicals. Methods: A subset of previously reported BP patients were treated with Li (n = 12, 3.6 ± 1.9 months) or VPA (n = 9, 1.4 ± 1.7 months) and compared untreated HC subjects (n = 12, 2.9 ± 2.4 months) using proton echo-planar spectroscopic imaging. Regression analyses (voxel gray/white composition by chemistry) were performed at each time point, and change scores computed. Metabolite relaxation and regions of interest (ROI) were also examined. Results: Across treatment, Li-treated BP subjects demonstrated GM Glx decreases (Li-HC, p =. 08; Li-VPA p =. 04) and GM myo-inositol increases (Li-HC p =. 07; Li-VPA p =. 12). Other measures were not significant. Serum Li levels were positively correlated with Glx decreases at the trend level. Conclusions: Li treatment of BP was associated with specific GM Glx decreases and myo-inositol increases. Findings are discussed in the context of cellular mechanisms postulated to underlie Li and VPA therapeutic efficacy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-348
Number of pages9
JournalBiological Psychiatry
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2004

Keywords

  • Bipolar disorder
  • glutamate
  • glutamine
  • lithium
  • spectroscopy
  • valproic acid

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Lithium and valproic acid treatment effects on brain chemistry in bipolar disorder'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this