Excellent lithium responders have normal cognitive functions and plasma BDNF levels
Janusz K Rybakowski1, Aleksandra Suwalska
1Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. rybakows@wlkp.top.pl
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
|April 16, 2010
Summary
Excellent lithium responders (ELRs) in bipolar disorder show normal cognitive function and higher brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. This suggests ELRs may represent a distinct subgroup achieving full remission with lithium treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Bipolar disorder often involves persistent neuropsychological and biochemical issues during remission.
- Excellent lithium responders (ELRs) experience complete remission of bipolar recurrences with lithium monotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate neuropsychological test performance and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ELRs.
- To compare ELRs with non-optimal lithium responders and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Sixty lithium-treated bipolar patients (13 ELRs) and 60 healthy controls participated.
- Neuropsychological tests from the CANTAB battery assessed spatial working memory and sustained attention.
Main Results:
- ELRs demonstrated superior performance on all neuropsychological tests.
- ELRs exhibited higher plasma BDNF levels compared to other lithium patients, but similar to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- ELRs may represent a unique subgroup of bipolar patients.
- Long-term lithium treatment may lead to complete normalization in this specific subgroup.
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