Effects Of Lithium On Memory And Cognition

In times past many people thought that memory loss was a normal occurrence for elderly people. This thinking was major reason for why Alzheimer’s disease was not caught until very later in the stages. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. After heart disease, cancer, and strokes, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of death in adults in the Western world. “It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans over the age of 65 are affected with this condition. After the age of 65, the incidence of the disease doubles every five years and, by age 85, it will affect nearly half of the population” (Robinson).

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 3 million American adults each year. Although there are many suffering from the disorder, doctors are still uncertain as to what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be found in men and women equally. In most cases, it begins between ages 15 – 25 but it is usually initially misdiagnosed in younger patients. The precise cause is still unknown, but due to the fact that, “two-thirds of bipolar patients have a family history of affective or emotional disorders, researchers have searched for a genetic link to the disorder” (Ford-Martin & Olde, 2005, p.229). Studies have discovered numerous potential genetic connections to the tendency for bipolar disorder. Another possible biological cause under investigation is the existence of an extreme calcium build-up in the cells of bipolar patients. Also, dopamine and other neurochemical transmitters are being investigated, as they seem to be connected to bipolar disorder (Basile, 2005, p.167).

There is more to the treatment of bipolar disorder than medication, but the medication Lithium has been the primary treatment since the 1960’s. In four studies

This article is a study conducted on the effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on the cognitive functions in bipolar disorder (BD). This article informs the readers that BD, a disorder characterized by extreme mood swings of mania and depression. BD is also found to alter cognitive functions. The use of NAC as a form of treatment is an adjunct therapy for the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as NAC intake showed an increase in antioxidant and glutathione levels, decrease inflammatory cytokines, and enhance neurogenesis. The double-blind and placebo-controlled study mentioned in this article was to determine if 2000 mg per day of NAC intake would improve cognitive function in a period of six months. The participants were randomly assigned to taking 2000mg/day of NAC or a placebo. After six months, the results of the NAC intake showed that symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder improved. The functioning and quality of life also improved, but there was no change in the cognitive functions of a person with bipolar disorder. This study, however, was not able to support its hypothesis on cognitive improvement, but it emphasized NAC’s effectiveness in bipolar disorder therapy.

As a counselor works with clients, one may have to work with a client that are taking psychotropic medication. A client named Kimberly disclosed in a session that she has Bipolar Disorder. She is a 19 year old African American woman. Kimberly has been experiencing symptoms of Bipolar Disorder for three years. Before beginning to take lithium, Kimberly has run away from home, displays erratic behaviors, has using marijuana to relieve symptoms, and attempting suicide when experiencing severe depression. Kimberly has also attempted suicide. Kimberly’s mental illness has affected her relationship with her mother and put a financial strain on the household. Kimberly was arrested and charged with the possession of marijuana.

Throughout history there have been reports of decreased memory and mental deterioration that accompanied old age. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer who described the symptoms in a woman in Germany in the 1907 but it was not until the 1970’s that AD was considered to be a major disorder and AD continues to be a major health concern worldwide (Reger, 2002).

Lithium Carbonate is the most commonly drug that is prescribed for treating bipolar disorder (May, Hickey, Triantis, Palazidou, & Kyriacou, 2015). It works as a mood stabilizer that significantly reduces excessive behaviors and suicidal tendencies. However, the way that lithium exerts its impact on mood is still unknown. One study suggests that key of lithium therapeutic actions are the neuroprotective effects (Malhi, Tanious, Das, Coulston, & Berk 2013). For instance, lithium has been demonstrated to decrease the oxidative stress that involves in multiple episodes of mania and depression. Other study recommends that lithium stabilize electrical

The association between Wnt and bipolar disorder has recently been supported by biological evidence that increasing the levels of GSk-3β reverses the effects of lithium in the body. This is a direct explanation of how lithium and other drugs are effective in the treatment of bipolar patients.

In this experiment there were 62 participants that were diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder and 50 control participants that had no diagnosis of a lifetime mood disorder. The people that were participating were recruited from the Bay Area Community in California. Everyone was fluent English speakers and ranged between 18 and 65 years old. Neither with no history of brain injury or medical conditions of the central nervous system and no show of impaired mental status or developmental disability. Every

516). Many experts criticized Cade’s research because of the deaths caused by the negative effects of lithium. To clear up this belief, Cade tested the lithium on himself - which came out to be safe. The next approach was to conduct a study on humans with mania, melancholia, and schizophrenia. “The effect on the patients with mania was dramatic: the first patient to be given lithium had long been the most troublesome on the ward,but he settled down within three weeks and was able to leave hospital 12 weeks later” (Mitchell & Hadzi-Pavlovic, 2000, pg. 516). The substance had no effect on melancholic and schizophrenic individuals. The study became more accepted when Schou and his co-worker Poul Christian Baastrup administered a study to establish that lithium carbonate was safe and effective on bipolar individuals. Lithium was eventually approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1970 as an antimanic drug for bipolar disorder. “Lithium was the first specific psychotropic medication,predating the neuroleptics by several years and the antidepressants by almost a decade” (Mitchell & Hadzi-Pavlovic, 2000,

1980). It is not clear why this is, as there does not appear to be

There are not nearly as many treatments for bipolar disorder. In fact, there is only one treatment that seems to have lasting effects. This treatment uses therapy with a professional coupled with medications. “Antibipolar drugs, also called mood stabilizers, help steady the mood of those with a bipolar disorder” (Chapter 2, 2009). The advances in treatment are due to the discovery of lithium as a medication. This drug works extremely well to eliminate manic episodes and even help with the depression. The drugs

Lithium is a top choice for acute mania and for maintenance in ‘classic’ bipolar disorder. Because of its narrow therapeutic range, blood levels must be monitored; also heart and kidney function (EKG, blood and urine tests). Medications such as diuretics, that block its excretion require caution.

Lisa was a little girl that had some behavior’s problems and her parents looked for help of a psychologist. Lisa was five-years-old when she was diagnosed with hyperactive, violent toward to others, and self-destructive behavior. Under this diagnostic, the psychologist tried different methods available at that time, such as counseling, behavior modification techniques, Ritalin, and other drugs. However, the drug called lithium was the only medication that helped to control Lisa’s behavior problem. Lithium was a last option medication and the dosage was adjusted to manage Lisa’s behavior. Without the medicine, Lisa’s condition was dangerous to others and to herself, so it was necessary to take the medicine during five years. After five years, Lisa’s