Thirteen patients with bipolar affective illness who had received
lithium therapy for 1-5 years were tested retrospectively for evidence of
cortical dysfunction. Data on patients younger than 55 show no
abnormalities on the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery and suggest
that chronic lithium therapy is relatively safe. Significantly elevated
Halstead Impairment indexes were observed among elderly patients, but these
data are difficult to interpret.Abstract Teaser