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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...

Bipolar Disorder

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Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

A safe lithium mimetic for bipolar disorder.

Nisha Singh¹, Amy C Halliday, Justyn M Thomas

¹University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK.

Nature Communications

|January 10, 2013

Summary

Ebselen, an antioxidant, mimics lithium's mood-stabilizing effects by inhibiting inositol monophosphatase. This discovery offers a potential new treatment for bipolar disorder with fewer side effects than lithium.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Drug Discovery

Background:

Lithium is an effective mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder but has a narrow therapeutic index and significant side effects.
The precise therapeutic target of lithium remains unclear, hindering the development of safer alternatives.
Inositol monophosphatase is a potential lithium target, but no bioavailable inhibitors have been identified.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify a novel therapeutic agent for bipolar disorder with lithium-like efficacy but improved safety.
To investigate the potential of ebselen as an inhibitor of inositol monophosphatase.
To explore the therapeutic implications of targeting inositol monophosphatase for bipolar disorder treatment.

Main Methods:

Screening of bioavailable compounds for inositol monophosphatase inhibition.
Behavioral testing in mice to assess lithium-like effects.
Administration of inositol to evaluate the mechanism of action.

Main Results:

Ebselen was identified as an inhibitor of inositol monophosphatase.
Ebselen induced lithium-like behavioral effects in mice.
These effects were reversed by co-administration of inositol, suggesting inhibition of inositol recycling.

Conclusions:

Ebselen acts as a lithium mimetic by inhibiting inositol monophosphatase.
This finding validates inositol monophosphatase as a therapeutic target for bipolar disorder.
Ebselen represents a promising candidate for bipolar disorder treatment due to its safety profile and efficacy.