Lithium side effects in relation to brain lithium concentration measured by lithium-7 magnetic resonance spectroscopy

1. The relationship between lithium (Li) side effects and brain Li concentration was examined in 17 patients with bipolar disorder treated with Li and other psychotropic drugs. 2. Brain Li concentration was measured by Li-7 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Side effects were assessed using the UCLA General Side Effect Rating Scale For Lithium Treatment (GSE). 3. There was no correlation between the total GSE score and the brain, serum, or erythrocyte Li concentrations. Patients with hand tremor had significantly higher brain Li level (0.51 + or - 0.27 mM) than those without apparent tremor (0.36 + or - 0.20 mM), but no significant difference in serum Li level was seen. As far as the patients had hand tremor, they rarely had brain Li concentration less than the therapeutic range (1 of 15 measurement). On the other hand, they often had brain Li levels less than the therapeutic range when they did not have apparent tremor (13 of 52 measurements). 4. This preliminary study suggests that hand tremor is associated with the brain Li concentration.