The author reviews the studies of lithium as an antidepressant,
evaluates the evidence that there might be specific subgroup of patients
for whom it is effective, and reports a study he and his associates
conducted that found lithium to be effective for 13 of 21 depressed
patients. He concludes that there is convincing, although not conclusive,
evidence for an antidepressant effect of lithium and that only by
identifying the subgroup of patients for whom it is effective can the
continuing uncertainty surrounding lithium's role in affective disorder be
resolved. He also calls for a reevaluation of the relationship between
mania and depression.Abstract Teaser