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Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...

Long-term Depression

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
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If over time, all...

Long-term Depression

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

Long-term Potentiation

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Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
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Long-term Potentiation

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Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

The Tail Suspension Test

The Tail Suspension Test

Published on: January 28, 2012

[Twenty-five years of lithium augmentation].

T Bschor¹, U Lewitzka, A Pfennig

¹Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin, Heinz-Galinski-Strasse 1, 13347 Berlin. bschor@jkb-online.de

|April 27, 2007

Summary

Lithium augmentation, adding lithium to antidepressants, effectively treats refractory depression. This strategy, developed over decades, is now a primary recommendation for treatment-resistant depression.

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Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

The Tail Suspension Test

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Published on: January 28, 2012

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychopharmacology
Clinical Psychiatry

Context:

The development of lithium augmentation for treatment-resistant depression originated from theoretical postulations based on animal studies.
Early uncontrolled observations in 1981 by de Montigny's group marked the inception of this therapeutic strategy.
Subsequent research evolved from open-label studies to rigorous randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Purpose:

To explore the historical development and evolving understanding of lithium augmentation in treating major depressive disorder.
To summarize the evidence supporting lithium augmentation as a strategy for patients with antidepressant-refractory depression.
To outline the optimized clinical application and maintenance therapy recommendations for lithium augmentation.

Summary:

Lithium augmentation, initially proposed to enhance serotonin receptor sensitivity, has become a cornerstone in managing treatment-resistant depression.
Optimized protocols recommend at least two weeks of administration with specific serum levels, followed by 6-12 months of maintenance therapy.
While the precise mechanisms are still under investigation, potential effects on the cortisol axis are being explored alongside receptor sensitization.

Impact:

Lithium augmentation has profoundly altered pharmacological strategies for depressive disorders.
It is now a widely recommended main strategy in treatment algorithms for patients unresponsive to antidepressant monotherapy.
This evidence-based approach offers a critical therapeutic option for a significant patient population facing treatment resistance.