A fully integrated new paradigm for lithium’s mode of action – lithium utilizes latent cellular fail-safe mechanisms

Abstract

Arthur Ernst van Woerkom South Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Longbridge CMHT, Rubery, Birmingham, UK Abstract: It is proposed that lithium’s therapeutic effects occur indirectly by augmenting a cascade of protective “fail-safe” pathways pre-configured to activate in response to a dangerous low cell [Mg++] situation, eg, posttraumatic brain injury, alongside relative cell adenosine triphosphate depletion. Lithium activates cell protection, as it neatly mimics a lowered intracellular [Mg++] level. Keywords: lithium, magnesium, GSK-3, traumatic brain injury, inositol, PRPP, valproate, carbamazepine, TRPM-7

Keywords

• Lithium
• Magnesium
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Inositol.