Drug research: the ups and downs of lithium

HR Pilcher - Nature, 2003 - go.gale.com
HR Pilcher
Nature, 2003go.gale.com
" He sleeps normally, eats normally," says Sarah." He's a fairly typical kid." Her son is one of
millions of patients with bipolar disorder (BPD)--manic depression--whose lives have been
transformed by lithium. Children with the condition can see-saw between energetic highs
and listless lows many times a day. Adults suffer similar swings, albeit at less frequent
intervals.During periods of mania, sufferers can experience euphoria and exercise poor
judgement, perhaps going on spending sprees. Depressive episodes bring on fatigue …
" He sleeps normally, eats normally," says Sarah." He's a fairly typical kid." Her son is one of millions of patients with bipolar disorder (BPD)--manic depression--whose lives have been transformed by lithium. Children with the condition can see-saw between energetic highs and listless lows many times a day. Adults suffer similar swings, albeit at less frequent intervals.
During periods of mania, sufferers can experience euphoria and exercise poor judgement, perhaps going on spending sprees. Depressive episodes bring on fatigue, pessimism and anxiety. But lithium, administered as a salt, puts sufferers on an even keel, freeing some parents from the need to provide constant care for children with BPD." One minute he'd be bouncing off the walls and giddy, the next minute he'd be crying," recalls Sarah." Now, he has settled down within himself and can play with other children."
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