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Bortolozzi A, Fico G, Berk M, Solmi M, Fornaro M, Quevedo J, Zarate CA, Kessing LV, Vieta E, Carvalho AF. New Advances in the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Lithium: A Neurobiologically Oriented Overview. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:323-357. [PMID: 38697859 PMCID: PMC11068842 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last six decades, lithium has been considered the gold standard treatment for the long-term management of bipolar disorder due to its efficacy in preventing both manic and depressive episodes as well as suicidal behaviors. Nevertheless, despite numerous observed effects on various cellular pathways and biologic systems, the precise mechanism through which lithium stabilizes mood remains elusive. Furthermore, there is recent support for the therapeutic potential of lithium in other brain diseases. This review offers a comprehensive examination of contemporary understanding and predominant theories concerning the diverse mechanisms underlying lithium's effects. These findings are based on investigations utilizing cellular and animal models of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have provided additional support for the significance of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibition as a crucial mechanism. Furthermore, research has shed more light on the interconnections between GSK3-mediated neuroprotective, antioxidant, and neuroplasticity processes. Moreover, recent advancements in animal and human models have provided valuable insights into how lithium-induced modifications at the homeostatic synaptic plasticity level may play a pivotal role in its clinical effectiveness. We focused on findings from translational studies suggesting that lithium may interface with microRNA expression. Finally, we are exploring the repurposing potential of lithium beyond bipolar disorder. These recent findings on the therapeutic mechanisms of lithium have provided important clues toward developing predictive models of response to lithium treatment and identifying new biologic targets. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Lithium is the drug of choice for the treatment of bipolar disorder, but its mechanism of action in stabilizing mood remains elusive. This review presents the latest evidence on lithium's various mechanisms of action. Recent evidence has strengthened glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibition, changes at the level of homeostatic synaptic plasticity, and regulation of microRNA expression as key mechanisms, providing an intriguing perspective that may help bridge the mechanistic gap between molecular functions and its clinical efficacy as a mood stabilizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analia Bortolozzi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Giovanna Fico
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Michael Berk
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Marco Solmi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Joao Quevedo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Lars V Kessing
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
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