[Polyneuropathy in lithium therapy]

We hereby report a case of manic depressive psychosis. The patient had been treated for years with lithium carbonate (600 mg/die, lithium serum concentration equal to 0.7 mEq/l) and came to us under observation for a sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy with mostly axonal degeneration. The central nervous system had not been involved. Excluding any possible causes of peripheral neuropathy and since no precipitating circumstances were ascertained, a clinical improvement was noticed after suspending the therapy.