The immunomodulatory effect of lithium as a mechanism of action in bipolar disorder

Frontiers in Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Katarzyna A. Lisowska¹  Łukasz P. Szałach²  Wiesław J. Cubała³  Margherita Barbuti⁴  Giulio Perugi⁴ 

[1] Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland;Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland;Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland;Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland;Psychiatry Unit 2, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy;

关键词: bipolar disorder;    lithium;    cytokines;    apoptosis;    lymphocytes;    immune system;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnins.2023.1213766

 received in 2023-04-28, accepted in 2023-08-04,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression alternating with periods of euthymia. Although environmental and genetic factors have been described, their pathogenesis is not fully understood. Much evidence suggests a role for inflammatory mediators and immune dysregulation in the development of BD. The first-line treatment in BD are mood-stabilizing agents, one of which is lithium (Li) salts. The Li mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it has been proposed that its robust immunomodulatory properties might be one of the mechanisms responsible for its effectiveness. In this article, the authors present the current knowledge about immune system changes accompanying BD, as well as the immunomodulatory effect of lithium. The results of studies describing connections between immune system changes and lithium effectiveness are often incoherent. Further research is needed to understand the connection between immune system modulation and the therapeutic action of lithium in BD.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Szałach, Lisowska, Cubała, Barbuti and Perugi.