Lithium Carbonate: A Clinical Study
HARRY ZALL M.D.1,
PER-OLOF G. THERMAN M.D.2, , and
J. MARTIN MYERS M.D.3
1 Senior resident in psychiatry, Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 111 N. 49th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
2 Director of the clinical laboratory and director of the resident research training program, Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 111 N. 49th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
3 Medical director, Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 111 N. 49th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139
Lithium carbonate has been widely acclaimed as a useful drug in the treatment of manic-depressive psychoses. The results of this clinical study emphasize that lithium is highly beneficial in preventing and alleviating acute mania and the hypomanic aspects of schizo-affective psychoses. When used alone, lithium was found to be relatively ineffective as an antidepressant. However, in combination with a tricyclic or MAO-inhibiting antidepressant, it was often effective in alleviating depressions, including those refractory to single psychopharmacological agents.
