Lithium is a naturally occurring element (number three on the periodic table) that was first discovered in 1817 and was found in mines in Australia and Chili. Its mood-stabilizing effects, however, were not recognized until late in that century. In fact, some concluded that gout was the cause of mood disorders.
What was lithium originally used for?
History. Lithium was first used in the 19th century as a treatment for gout after scientists discovered that, at least in the laboratory, lithium could dissolve uric acid crystals isolated from the kidneys. The levels of lithium needed to dissolve urate in the body, however, were toxic.
How was lithium invented?
Lithium was discovered in the mineral petalite (LiAl(Si2O5)2) by Johann August Arfvedson in 1817. It was first isolated by William Thomas Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy through the electrolysis of lithium oxide (Li2O). Today, larger amounts of the metal are obtained through the electrolysis of lithium chloride (LiCl).
Who discovered lithium for depression?
Some 70 years ago, John Cade, an Australian psychiatrist, discovered a medication for bipolar disorder that helped many patients to regain stability swiftly. Lithium is now the standard treatment for the condition, and one of the most consistently effective medicines in psychiatry.
When was lithium first used?
The use of lithium in psychiatry goes back to the mid-19th century. Early work, however, was soon forgotten, and John Cade is credited with reintroducing lithium to psychiatry for mania in 1949.
What are 3 interesting facts about lithium?
Fun Lithium Facts
- Lithium is the lightest metal.
- Lithium has the lowest density of any metal.
- Lithium is a shiny, soft metal which reacts violently with water forming a strong corrosive base.
- Lithium burns with a bright red color.
- Lithium is used extensively in rechargeable batteries.
Is lithium a antipsychotic?
Lithium is not an antipsychotic medicine, it’s known as a mood stabiliser. However, your doctor might prescribe an antipsychotic medicine with lithium. How well does lithium treat depression?
Who discovered lithium?
Discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson, lithium is one of the three elements synthesized during the Big Bang along with hydrogen and helium. Derived from a Greek word, its name means stone.
Who invented lithium medication?
While its use in psychiatry dates to the mid-19th century, the widespread discovery of lithium is usually credited to Australian psychiatrist John Cade who introduced it for mania in 1949.
Is lithium naturally occurring in the body?
Lithium is a naturally occurring alkali metal, which living organisms ingest from dietary sources and which is also present in trace amounts in the human body. In much higher concentrations, lithium is effective as a medication for mania and mood swings including manic depressive disorders.
Why do persons with bipolar disorder stop their medication?
The reasons include unpleasant side effects, difficulty in remembering to take the medications, fear of addiction, and preference for an alternative treatment.
Where is lithium commonly found in nature?
Natural abundance
Lithium does not occur as the metal in nature, but is found combined in small amounts in nearly all igneous rocks and in the waters of many mineral springs. Spodumene, petalite, lepidolite, and amblygonite are the more important minerals containing lithium.
What mental illness does lithium treat?
Lithium is used to treat mania that is part of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). It is also used on a daily basis to reduce the frequency and severity of manic episodes.
Where did the word bipolar come from?
The term “bipolar” means “two poles,” signifying the polar opposites of mania and depression. The term first appeared in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in its third revision in 1980.
How did they discover lithium for bipolar?
It was at an unused kitchen in Bundoora that he conducted crude experiments which led to the discovery of lithium as a treatment of bipolar disorder. Since he had no sophisticated analytical equipment these experiments mostly consisted of injecting urine from mentally ill patients into the abdomen of guinea pigs.
Is lithium still prescribed?
Lithium remains first choice as maintenance treatment for bipolar affective disorder. Yet, about half of all individuals may stop their treatment at some point, despite lithium’s proven benefits concerning the prevention of severe affective episodes and suicide.
How did lithium get to Earth?
Much of the Lithium Here on Earth Came from Exploding White Dwarf Stars. The Big Bang produced the Universe’s hydrogen, helium, and a little lithium. Since then, it’s been up to stars (for the most part) to forge the rest of the elements, including the matter that you and I are made of.
Why is lithium so special?
Lithium is a special metal in many ways. It’s light and soft — so soft that it can be cut with a kitchen knife and so low in density that it floats on water. It’s also solid at a wide range of temperatures, with one of the lowest melting points of all metals and a high boiling point.
Is there lithium on other planets?
More lithium might be found in the icy outer Solar System, where there’s plenty of water available to pull the metal out of rocks. Lithium could be present in low concentrations in the oceans beneath the icy surfaces of Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s Enceladus, just as it can be found in seawater on Earth.
Do schizophrenics take lithium?
Lithium alone is an effective treatment for schizophrenia, schizophrenia-like psychoses and schizoaffective psychoses; and2. Lithium augmentation of antipsychotic medication is an effective treatment for the same illnesses.
Why are Zyprexa and lithium given together?
The response in patients without psychotic features and the improvement of depressive symptoms suggests that the combination of olanzapine and lithium or valproate may have mood-stabilizing properties in the acute treatment of bipolar manic or mixed episodes.
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