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Researchers Study the Effectiveness of Lithium

-November 4, 2008

Researchers at King's College London are currently embarking on an in-depth study that will examine the effectiveness of lithium in the treatment of motor neurone disease (MND).

Lithium, which is marketed under the brand names Eskalith and Lithobid, is a potent medication used to treat bipolar disorder. However, while lithium can effectively regulate manic depression and/or mania, it can also have some serious side effects, including tremors, kidney damage, impaired cognition and seizures.

As a result, anyone taking lithium is generally advised to avoid driving or participating in activities that require alertness.

What is MND?

MND refers to a class of neurological conditions in which damaged motor neurons (the cells responsible a person's voluntary movements) impair one's ability to do any or all of the following:

• breathe
• move
• swallow
• talk
• walk

The most common types of MND include:

• Ampyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which is marked by weak and wasting limbs

• Primary lateral sclerosis, characterized by lower limb weakness, slurred speech and poor coordination

• Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), marked by slurred speech and problems swallowing

• Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), which is characterized by general weakness and poor coordination.

ALS is the most common form of MND. While about 30,000 Americans currently suffer from ALS, approximately 5,000 new cases of ALS are diagnosed each year.

Inspiration for this Study

Professor Nigel Leigh pulled together the team of researchers at King's College London after a small-scale Italian study found that lithium had positive effects on MND patients.

In the Italian study, 16 MND patients showed significant improvement in their conditions after taking lithium.

Researchers to Expand the Study

However, because the initial study was small and poorly coordinated, Leigh and his researchers have decided to expand the scope – to include 220 MND patients over an 18-month period – to either validate or dispel preliminary claims of lithium's effectiveness for this condition.

With an expected end date set for 2010, many medical experts are eagerly awaiting the findings of this more extensive lithium research. However, until researchers gather definitive results, they are urging all MND patients to talk to their doctors before starting a lithium regimen.

(Source: BBC Health News)

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