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Updated: May 27, 2026
07:42
Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
Published on: April 26, 2012
Lithium neurotoxicity at 'therapeutic' levels a case report
G Sampath1, Y V Kumar, H S Narayanan
1, , Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|November 8, 2011
Summary
A young patient experienced severe neurotoxicity from lithium, even at normal levels. This highlights the risk of lithium-induced neurotoxicity at therapeutic doses, necessitating careful consideration during treatment for affective disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lithium is a common mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
- Neurotoxicity is a known side effect of lithium, typically associated with high serum levels.
- The underlying mechanisms of lithium neurotoxicity are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of severe lithium neurotoxicity in a young patient.
- To investigate potential causes of neurotoxicity.
- To highlight the risk of neurotoxicity at therapeutic lithium levels.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a young manic patient.
- Clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations (infection, electrolytes, lithium levels).
Main Results:
- The patient developed severe neurotoxicity while on lithium monotherapy.
- No infection, electrolyte imbalance, or elevated lithium levels were detected.
- Neurotoxicity occurred at therapeutic lithium concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Lithium can cause neurotoxicity at therapeutic levels, potentially due to unknown mechanisms.
- Clinicians should consider this risk when initiating lithium therapy for affective disorders.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the causes of lithium-induced neurotoxicity at therapeutic doses.
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