Effects of lithium carbonate on associative productivity and idiosyncrasy in bipolar outpatients
Abstract
To determine the effect of lithium carbonate on the productivity and idiosyncrasy of written associations of euthymic outpatients with affective disorder, the authors assessed 22 patients at weekly intervals during lithium treatment, 2 consecutive weeks of placebo, and 2 consecutive weeks after lithium was resumed. Lithium discontinuation produced a significant increase in associational productivity and a demonstrable increase in associative idiosyncrasy, and restoration of lithium dose significantly reversed both effects. The results suggest that lithium may affect the underlying neuropsychological functions critical to the ability to generate associations and indicate the need for further study of lithium's effects on these and other functions that may relate to neuropsychological and creative processes.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).