Longer lithium exposure is associated with better white matter integrity in older adults with bipolar disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with cognitive dysfunction and structural brain abnormalities. In human and non-human studies, lithium has been related to neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects. We explored whether lithium treatment is related to better brain integrity and cognitive function in older adults with BD.

Methods

We examined cognitive and neuroimaging data in 58 individuals with BD [mean (standard deviation) age = 64.5 (9.8) years] and 21 mentally healthy comparators (controls) of similar age and education. Subjects received comprehensive neurocognitive assessment and structural brain imaging, examining total gray matter volume, overall white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy), and total white matter hyperintensity burden.

Results

In

SUBMITTER: Gildengers AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4374042 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature