Lithium-responsive hyperaldosteronism in manic patients

Plasma aldosterone levels of seven untreated manic-depressive patients in the manic phase were compared to five untreated schizoaffective patients in the excited phase and 18 controls. Aldosterone was significantly elevated in the manic patients, and elevated in the schizoaffective patients. After 14 days of lithium carbonate therapy, both psychiatric groups showed a significant reduction in plasma aldosterone and a marked clinical improvement. These data suggest that elevated aldosterone is associated with the manic phase of manic-depressive psychosis.