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Ghaemi SN. The pseudoscience of lithium and suicide: Reanalysis of a misleading meta-analysis. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:597-603. [PMID: 38863399 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241257833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
By manipulating inclusion criteria, one can prove whatever point one wishes in meta-analysis. This critique examines a recent meta-analysis claiming lithium ineffectiveness for suicidality, based on three biased features: inclusion of many large studies specifically designed to exclude suicidality, producing zero suicide outcomes in all groups (n = 1856), thereby artificially decreasing statistical significance; arbitrary exclusion of all trials prior to the year 2000, thereby excluding two randomized clinical trials which demonstrated benefit for lithium; and underreporting of placebo suicide events in a recent randomized trial. It thereby created a smaller effect size (two suicides with lithium versus five with placebo = RR = 0.42), though still beneficial for lithium, and a larger denominator of no events (total n for included studies = 2578), leading to the claim of statistical non-significance (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 0.1-4.5). The same literature can be analyzed including the two excluded older studies, and including the two placebo deaths in the recent trial, producing a larger effect size (two suicides with lithium versus nine with placebo, RR = 0.25). Furthermore, uninformative studies with no events could be excluded (total n for included studies = 1203), as is standard practice in meta-analysis, producing statistically significant results (95% CIs 0.05, 0.83). This more complete, more accurate, and less biased meta-analysis is provided in this article.In short, including all studies with non-zero suicide outcomes, there is clear benefit for lithium. The recent meta-analysis is a classic example of pseudoscience, using scientific technique superficially to confirm, rather than refute, one's own opinions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyed Nassir Ghaemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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Ghassemi AE. To treat suicidality and impulsivity in bipolar disorders, inclusive, effective and evidence-based psychological interventions should be developed. Evid Based Nurs 2024; 27:110. [PMID: 37949634 DOI: 10.1136/ebnurs-2023-103854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
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Sato A, Sugawara N, Kawamata Y, Yasui‐Furukori N. Changes in suicidal ideation during treatment among patients with major depressive disorder: A 6-month naturalistic follow-up study. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2024; 44:371-380. [PMID: 38443150 PMCID: PMC11144608 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM There is limited evidence regarding predictors of changes in suicidal ideation (SI) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The objective of this study was to describe changes in SI over a 6-month period and identify their predictors from naturalistic observations of MDD patients. METHODS In the cross-sectional analysis, we examined 257 patients with MDD at the first-visit assessment. Among the patients, 119 who completed the 6-month assessment (completers) were included in the longitudinal analysis. For the evaluation of depressive symptoms, including SI, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Japanese version was administered at both the first-visit and follow-up assessments. At baseline, we also administered the Japanese version of the Ten Item Personality Inventory to assess personality traits and the PRIME Screen-Revised to assess psychotic symptoms. RESULTS In the cross-sectional analysis of first-visit patients, 36.2% (93/257) exhibited SI. Among completers, 14.3% (17/119) had prolonged SI. Among the completers with SI at the first-visit assessment, 38.6% (17/44) had SI at the follow-up assessment (prolonged SI). In linear regression models including all completers, prolonged SI was positively associated with endorsement of suspiciousness/persecutory ideas and negatively associated with higher age. CONCLUSION More than one-third of completers who had SI at the first-visit assessment experienced prolonged SI (SI at follow-up). Our findings can help clinicians predict the course of MDD by identifying associated demographic and clinical characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoi Sato
- Department of PsychiatryDokkyo Medical University School of MedicineMibuJapan
| | - Norio Sugawara
- Department of PsychiatryDokkyo Medical University School of MedicineMibuJapan
| | - Yasushi Kawamata
- Department of PsychiatryDokkyo Medical University School of MedicineMibuJapan
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Bortolozzi A, Fico G, Berk M, Solmi M, Fornaro M, Quevedo J, Zarate CA, Kessing LV, Vieta E, Carvalho AF. New Advances in the Pharmacology and Toxicology of Lithium: A Neurobiologically Oriented Overview. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:323-357. [PMID: 38697859 PMCID: PMC11068842 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last six decades, lithium has been considered the gold standard treatment for the long-term management of bipolar disorder due to its efficacy in preventing both manic and depressive episodes as well as suicidal behaviors. Nevertheless, despite numerous observed effects on various cellular pathways and biologic systems, the precise mechanism through which lithium stabilizes mood remains elusive. Furthermore, there is recent support for the therapeutic potential of lithium in other brain diseases. This review offers a comprehensive examination of contemporary understanding and predominant theories concerning the diverse mechanisms underlying lithium's effects. These findings are based on investigations utilizing cellular and animal models of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have provided additional support for the significance of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibition as a crucial mechanism. Furthermore, research has shed more light on the interconnections between GSK3-mediated neuroprotective, antioxidant, and neuroplasticity processes. Moreover, recent advancements in animal and human models have provided valuable insights into how lithium-induced modifications at the homeostatic synaptic plasticity level may play a pivotal role in its clinical effectiveness. We focused on findings from translational studies suggesting that lithium may interface with microRNA expression. Finally, we are exploring the repurposing potential of lithium beyond bipolar disorder. These recent findings on the therapeutic mechanisms of lithium have provided important clues toward developing predictive models of response to lithium treatment and identifying new biologic targets. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Lithium is the drug of choice for the treatment of bipolar disorder, but its mechanism of action in stabilizing mood remains elusive. This review presents the latest evidence on lithium's various mechanisms of action. Recent evidence has strengthened glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibition, changes at the level of homeostatic synaptic plasticity, and regulation of microRNA expression as key mechanisms, providing an intriguing perspective that may help bridge the mechanistic gap between molecular functions and its clinical efficacy as a mood stabilizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analia Bortolozzi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Giovanna Fico
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Michael Berk
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Marco Solmi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Joao Quevedo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Lars V Kessing
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain (A.B.); Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain (A.B., G.F., E.V.); Hospital Clinic, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (G.F., E.V.); IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (M.B., A.F.C.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada (M.S.); Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (M.S.); Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (M.F.); Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health), Houston, Texas (J.Q.); Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.); Copenhagen Affective Disorders Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark (L.V.K.); and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (L.V.K.)
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Menon V, Praharaj SK, Andrade C. Primary outcomes, secondary outcomes, and their relevance to how many papers are published from a study: A primer for authors, reviewers, and editors. Indian J Psychiatry 2024; 66:472-476. [PMID: 38919569 PMCID: PMC11195751 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_404_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In research, outcomes are often categorized as primary and secondary. The primary outcome is the most important one; it determines whether the study is considered 'successful' or not. Secondary outcomes are chosen because they provide supporting evidence for the results of the primary outcome or additional information about the subject being studied. For reasons that are explained in this paper, secondary outcomes should be cautiously interpreted. There are varying practices regarding publishing secondary outcomes. Some authors publish these separately, while others include them in the main publication. In some contexts, the former can lead to concerns about the quality and relevance of the data being published. In this article, we discuss primary and secondary outcomes, the importance and interpretation of secondary outcomes, and considerations for publishing multiple outcomes in separate papers. We also discuss the special case of secondary analyses and post hoc analyses and provide guidance on good publishing practices. Throughout the article, we use relevant examples to make these concepts easier to understand. While the article is primarily aimed at early career researchers, it offers insights that may be helpful to researchers, reviewers, and editors across all levels of expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, JIPMER, Puducherry, India
| | - Samir Kumar Praharaj
- Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Chittaranjan Andrade
- Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Wang H, Lyu N, Huang J, Fu B, Shang L, Yang F, Zhao Q, Wang G. Real-world evidence from a retrospective study on suicide during depression: clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and disease burden. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:300. [PMID: 38641767 PMCID: PMC11031916 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05726-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide stands as both a primary symptom and the direst outcome of major depressive disorder (MDD). The scarcity of effective treatment strategies makes managing MDD patients with suicide especially challenging. Hence, it is crucial to investigate disease characteristics and efficacious therapeutic strategies for these patients, drawing insights from disease databases and real-world data. METHODS In this retrospective study, MDD patients hospitalized between January 2013 and December 2020 were investigated using Electronic Health Records (EHR) data from Beijing Anding Hospital. The study enrolled 4138 MDD patients with suicidal ideation or behavior (MDS) and 3848 without (MDNS). Demographic data, clinical attributes, treatment approaches, disease burden, and re-hospitalization within one year of discharge were extracted and compared. RESULTS Patients in the MDS group were predominantly younger and female, exhibiting a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption, experiencing frequent life stress events, and having an earlier onset age. Re-hospitalizations within six months post-discharge in the MDS group were significantly higher than in the MDNS group (11.36% vs. 8.91%, p < 0.001). Moreover, a more considerable fraction of MDS patients underwent combined electroconvulsive therapy treatment (56.72% vs. 43.71%, p < 0.001). Approximately 38% of patients in both groups were prescribed two or more therapeutic regimes, and over 90% used antidepressants, either alone or combined. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the predominant choice in both groups. Furthermore, antidepressants were often prescribed with antipsychotics or mood stabilizers. When medication alterations were necessary, the favoured options involved combination with antipsychotics or transitioning to alternative antidepressants. Yet, in the MDS group, following these initial modifications, the addition of mood stabilizers tended to be the more prioritized alternative. CONCLUSIONS MDD patients with suicidal ideation or behaviour displayed distinctive demographic and clinical features. They exhibited intricate treatment patterns, a pronounced burden of illness, and an increased likelihood of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Lyu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Fu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Shang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China.
- The Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.
| | - Gang Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Hutong Road, Xicheng District, 100088, Beijing, China.
- The Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.
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7
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Tondo L, Baldessarini RJ. Prevention of suicidal behavior with lithium treatment in patients with recurrent mood disorders. Int J Bipolar Disord 2024; 12:6. [PMID: 38460088 PMCID: PMC10924823 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00326-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Suicidal behavior is more prevalent in bipolar disorders than in other psychiatric illnesses. In the last thirty years evidence has emerged to indicate that long-term treatment of bipolar disorder patients with lithium may reduce risk of suicide and attempts, with possibly similar benefits in recurrent major depressive disorder. We review and update selected research literature on effects of lithium treatment in reducing suicidal behavior and consider proposals that higher levels of lithium in drinking water may be associated with lower suicide rates. We summarize results of a growing number of randomized, controlled studies of lithium treatment for suicide prevention including comparisons with placebos or alternative treatments, and comment on the severe challenges of such trials. The basis of a proposed protective effect of lithium against suicidal behaviors remains uncertain but may include protective effects against recurrences of depressive phases of mood disorders, especially with mixed features or agitation, and possibly through beneficial effects on impulsivity, agitation and dysphoric mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Tondo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- International Consortium for Mood & Psychotic Disorder Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Lucio Bini Mood Disorder Centers, Centro Lucio Bini, 42 Via Crescenzio, Cagliari and Rome, 00193, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ross J Baldessarini
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- International Consortium for Mood & Psychotic Disorder Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
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Shuy YK, Santharan S, Chew QH, Lin SK, Ouyang WC, Chen CK, Park SC, Jang OJ, Park JH, Chee KY, Ding KS, Chong J, Zhang L, Li K, Zhu X, Jatchavala C, Pariwatcharakul P, Kallivayalil RA, Grover S, Avasthi A, Ansari M, Maramis MM, Aung PP, Tan CH, Xiang YT, Chong MY, Park YC, Kato TA, Shinfuku N, Baldessarini RJ, Sim K. Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Correlates of Lithium Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Asia. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 44:117-123. [PMID: 38230861 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As clinical practices with lithium salts for patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) are poorly documented in Asia, we studied the prevalence and clinical correlates of lithium use there to support international comparisons. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of use and dosing of lithium salts for BD patients across 13 Asian sites and evaluated bivariate relationships of lithium treatment with clinical correlates followed by multivariate logistic regression modeling. RESULTS In a total of 2139 BD participants (52.3% women) of mean age 42.4 years, lithium salts were prescribed in 27.3% of cases overall, varying among regions from 3.20% to 59.5%. Associated with lithium treatment were male sex, presence of euthymia or mild depression, and a history of seasonal mood change. Other mood stabilizers usually were given with lithium, often at relatively high doses. Lithium use was associated with newly emerging and dose-dependent risk of tremors as well as risk of hypothyroidism. We found no significant differences in rates of clinical remission or of suicidal behavior if treatment included lithium or not. CONCLUSIONS Study findings clarify current prevalence, dosing, and clinical correlates of lithium treatment for BD in Asia. This information should support clinical decision-making regarding treatment of BD patients and international comparisons of therapeutic practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Kang Shuy
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Sanjana Santharan
- Department of Emergency and Crisis Care, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | - Qian Hui Chew
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | | | | | - Chih-Ken Chen
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, Keelung, Taiwan
| | | | - Ok-Jin Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Bugok National Hospital, Changnyong, South Korea
| | - Jun Hyuk Park
- Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Kok-Yoon Chee
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Tunku Abdul Rahman Institute of Neurosciences, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kwong Sen Ding
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Tanjung Rambutan, Perak Darul Ridzwan, Malasia
| | - Jamaline Chong
- Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Ministry of Health, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Ling Zhang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, School of Mental Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Keqing Li
- Hebei Provincial Mental Health Center, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, the Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chonnakarn Jatchavala
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Pornjira Pariwatcharakul
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roy A Kallivayalil
- Department of Psychiatry, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Tiruvalla, India
| | - Sandeep Grover
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ajit Avasthi
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Moin Ansari
- Department of Psychiatry, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | - Margarita M Maramis
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr Soetomo Hospital-Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Paing Phyo Aung
- Mental Health Hospital, Yangon University of Medicine, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Chay Hoon Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Mian-Yoon Chong
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Yong Chon Park
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, South Korea
| | - Takahiro A Kato
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naotaka Shinfuku
- School of Human Sciences, Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Kang Sim
- West Region, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
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Du N, Yang R, Jiang S, Niu Z, Zhou W, Liu C, Gao L, Sun Q. Anti-Aging Drugs and the Related Signal Pathways. Biomedicines 2024; 12:127. [PMID: 38255232 PMCID: PMC10813474 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a multifactorial biological process involving chronic diseases that manifest from the molecular level to the systemic level. From its inception to 31 May 2022, this study searched the PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases to identify relevant research from 15,983 articles. Multiple approaches have been employed to combat aging, such as dietary restriction (DR), exercise, exchanging circulating factors, gene therapy, and anti-aging drugs. Among them, anti-aging drugs are advantageous in their ease of adherence and wide prevalence. Despite a shared functional output of aging alleviation, the current anti-aging drugs target different signal pathways that frequently cross-talk with each other. At present, six important signal pathways were identified as being critical in the aging process, including pathways for the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nutrient signal pathway, silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), regulation of telomere length and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), and energy metabolism. These signal pathways could be targeted by many anti-aging drugs, with the corresponding representatives of rapamycin, metformin, acarbose, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), lithium, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), respectively. This review summarized these important aging-related signal pathways and their representative targeting drugs in attempts to obtain insights into and promote the development of mechanism-based anti-aging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Du
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ruigang Yang
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing 314002, China
| | - Shengrong Jiang
- The Meta-Center, 29 Xierqi Middle Rd, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Zubiao Niu
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing 314002, China
| | - Wenzhao Zhou
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chenyu Liu
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Lihua Gao
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Qiang Sun
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing 314002, China
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10
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Fiorillo A, Sampogna G, Albert U, Maina G, Perugi G, Pompili M, Rosso G, Sani G, Tortorella A. Facts and myths about the use of lithium for bipolar disorder in routine clinical practice: an expert consensus paper. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2023; 22:50. [PMID: 38057894 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-023-00481-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder is one of the most burdensome severe mental disorders, characterized by high levels of personal and social disability. Patients often need an integrated pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach. Lithium is one of the most effective treatments available not only in psychiatry, but in the whole medicine, and its clinical efficacy is superior to that of other mood stabilizers. However, a declining trend on lithium prescriptions has been observed worldwide in the last 20 years, supporting the notion that lithium is a 'forgotten drug' and highlighting that the majority of patients with bipolar disorder are missing out the best available pharmacological option. Based on such premises, a narrative review has been carried out on the most common "misconceptions" and "stereotypes" associated with lithium treatment; we also provide a list of "good reasons" for using lithium in ordinary clinical practice to overcome those false myths. MAIN TEXT A narrative search of the available literature has been performed entering the following keywords: "bipolar disorder", "lithium", "myth", "mythology", "pharmacological treatment", and "misunderstanding". The most common false myths have been critically revised and the following statements have been proposed: (1) Lithium should represent the first choice for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder; (2) lithium treatment is effective in different patients' groups suffering from bipolar disorder; (3) Drug-drug interaction risk can be easily managed during lithium treatment; (4) The optimal management of lithium treatment includes periodical laboratory tests; (5) Slow-release lithium formulation has advantages compared to immediate release formulation; (6) Lithium treatment has antisuicidal properties; (7) Lithium can be carefully managed during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS In recent years, a discrepancy between evidence-based recommendations and clinical practice in using lithium treatment for patients with bipolar disorder has been highlighted. It is time to disseminate clear and unbiased information on the clinical efficacy, effectiveness, tolerability and easiness to use of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder. It is necessary to reinvigorate the clinical and academic discussion about the efficacy of lithium, to counteract the decreasing prescription trend of one of the most effective drugs available in the whole medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy.
| | - Umberto Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulio Perugi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital - Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
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11
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Dervic K, Sher L, Galfalvy HC, Grunebaum M, Burke AK, Sullivan G, Sublette ME, Mann JJ, Oquendo MA. Antisuicidal effect of lithum in bipolar disorder: is there an age-specific effect? J Affect Disord 2023; 341:8-11. [PMID: 37619654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our group reported previously a comparable overall antisuicidal effect of lithium and valproate in bipolar patients. We investigated factors associated with higher antisuicidal efficacy of lithium in older individuals. METHODS The age-related antisuicidal effect of lithium and valproate was compared in ninety-four (n = 94) high-risk bipolar suicide attempters who participated in a 2.5-year randomized, double-blind trial. RESULTS Age significantly moderated the effect of lithium vs. valproate on the risk of suicide event during the study (z = -1.98, p = 0.049). We found that those who were 42 years or older (above the 75th percentile), and on lithium had significantly lower risk of suicidal behavior than older patients on valproate (>42y) or younger (<42 y) patients on either medication (interaction HR = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.01-0.89, z = -2.07, p = 0.039). This difference in risk differences was not explained away by age-related differences in the proportion of participants with bipolar II disorder (Fisher's test p = 0.020) or higher lethality of past suicide attempts in younger participants (Wilcoxon test p = 0.024); neither was there any correlation with age in the longitudinally measured blood lithium levels (t = 1.04, df = 36, p = 0.307) or valproate levels (t = -0.50, df = 41, p = 0.621). LIMITATIONS Besides the fact that this is a secondary analysis, a limitation is that the study is not powered to detect suicide deaths or suicide attempts. CONCLUSION Bipolar patients randomized to lithium and older than 42 years had less suicidal behavior compared to same aged patients on valproate or younger patients (<42 y) on either medication. This effect was independent of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanita Dervic
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Psychosomatics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine/University Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Leo Sher
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Hanga C Galfalvy
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Grunebaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ainsley K Burke
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Sublette
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria A Oquendo
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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Zheng J, Zhao Q, Ma Y, Tian J, Sun L, Zhang Z, Guo L. Agomelatine enhances the therapeutic effect of venlafaxine on depression and improves the levels of S100B and GFAP. Am J Transl Res 2023; 15:5528-5535. [PMID: 37692959 PMCID: PMC10492076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of venlafaxine combined with agomelatine in elderly patients with depression and observe the changes in S-100 calcium binding protein B (S-100B) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) before and after treatment. METHODS The data of 142 elderly patients with depression treated in Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College between January 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively studied. Among the patients, 62 treated with venlafaxine were assigned to a control group, and 80 treated with agomelatine combined with venlafaxine were assigned to an observation group. In addition, 50 patients with suspected meningitis who were treated in Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College over the same time span were enrolled into a normal group. The two groups of patients were compared in terms of clinical efficacy after treatment and the changes in S100B and GFAP before and after treatment. The diagnostic value of S100B and GFAP in patients with depression was explored. Additionally, the changes in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) score before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the adverse drug reaction rate was also compared. RESULTS The patient group showed higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of S100B and GFAP than the control group (P < 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUC) of CSF S100B and GFAP for diagnosing depression were 0.833 and 0.925, respectively, and the AUC of the combination of the two was 0.967, which was larger than that of CSF S100B or GFAP alone (P < 0.001). Additionally, the control group showed lower clinical efficacy than the observation group (P < 0.001). After treatment, the observation group exhibited lower CSF levels of S100B and GFAP than the control group (P < 0.001), and demonstrated higher RBANS score than the control group (P < 0.001). The difference in adverse drug reaction rate was not significant between the control group and the observation group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION S100B and GFAP can be used as diagnostic indicators of depression. Agomelatine plus venlafaxine are superior to venlafaxine alone in the treatment of depression. The combination can contribute to better S100B and GFAP levels, and take a more obvious role in alleviating disease symptoms, thereby improving the cognitive function and overall well-being of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
| | - Yani Ma
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
| | - Jing Tian
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
| | - Liangliang Sun
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
| | - Zongyan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
| | - Long Guo
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College No. 296 Kongtong East Road, Kongtong District, Pingliang 744000, Gansu, China
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O'Connor EA, Perdue LA, Coppola EL, Henninger ML, Thomas RG, Gaynes BN. Depression and Suicide Risk Screening: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA 2023; 329:2068-2085. [PMID: 37338873 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.7787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Importance Depression is common and associated with substantial burden. Suicide rates have increased over the past decade, and both suicide attempts and deaths have devastating effects on individuals and families. Objective To review the benefits and harms of screening and treatment for depression and suicide risk and the accuracy of instruments to detect these conditions among primary care patients. Data Sources MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Cochrane library through September 7, 2022; references of existing reviews; ongoing surveillance for relevant literature through November 25, 2022. Study Selection English-language studies of screening or treatment compared with control conditions, or test accuracy of screening instruments (for depression, instruments were selected a priori; for suicide risk, all were included). Existing systematic reviews were used for treatment and test accuracy for depression. Data Extraction and Synthesis One investigator abstracted data; a second checked accuracy. Two investigators independently rated study quality. Findings were synthesized qualitatively, including reporting of meta-analysis results from existing systematic reviews; meta-analyses were conducted on original research when evidence was sufficient. Main Outcomes and Measures Depression outcomes; suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths; sensitivity and specificity of screening tools. Results For depression, 105 studies were included: 32 original studies (N=385 607) and 73 systematic reviews (including ≈2138 studies [N ≈ 9.8 million]). Depression screening interventions, many of which included additional components beyond screening, were associated with a lower prevalence of depression or clinically important depressive symptomatology after 6 to 12 months (pooled odds ratio, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.50-0.73]; reported in 8 randomized clinical trials [n=10 244]; I2 = 0%). Several instruments demonstrated adequate test accuracy (eg, for the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire at a cutoff of 10 or greater, the pooled sensitivity was 0.85 [95% CI, 0.79-0.89] and specificity was 0.85 [95% CI, 0.82-0.88]; reported in 47 studies [n = 11 234]). A large body of evidence supported benefits of psychological and pharmacologic treatment of depression. A pooled estimate from trials used for US Food and Drug Administration approval suggested a very small increase in the absolute risk of a suicide attempt with second-generation antidepressants (odds ratio, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.09-2.15]; n = 40 857; 0.7% of antidepressant users had a suicide attempt vs 0.3% of placebo users; median follow-up, 8 weeks). Twenty-seven studies (n = 24 826) addressed suicide risk. One randomized clinical trial (n=443) of a suicide risk screening intervention found no difference in suicidal ideation after 2 weeks between primary care patients who were and were not screened for suicide risk. Three studies of suicide risk test accuracy were included; none included replication of any instrument. The included suicide prevention studies generally did not demonstrate an improvement over usual care, which typically included specialty mental health treatment. Conclusions and Relevance Evidence supported depression screening in primary care settings, including during pregnancy and postpartum. There are numerous important gaps in the evidence for suicide risk screening in primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A O'Connor
- Kaiser Permanente Evidence-based Practice Center, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Leslie A Perdue
- Kaiser Permanente Evidence-based Practice Center, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Erin L Coppola
- Kaiser Permanente Evidence-based Practice Center, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Michelle L Henninger
- Kaiser Permanente Evidence-based Practice Center, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Rachel G Thomas
- Kaiser Permanente Evidence-based Practice Center, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
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14
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Li Y, Zhang L, Mao M, He L, Wang T, Pan Y, Zhao X, Li Z, Mu X, Qian Y, Qiu J. Multi-omics analysis of a drug-induced model of bipolar disorder in zebrafish. iScience 2023; 26:106744. [PMID: 37207274 PMCID: PMC10189518 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging studies demonstrate that inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD), but the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Given the complexity of BD pathogenesis, we performed high-throughput multi-omic profiling (metabolomics, lipidomics, and transcriptomics) of the BD zebrafish brain to comprehensively unravel the molecular mechanism. Our research proved that in BD zebrafish, JNK-mediated neuroinflammation altered metabolic pathways involved in neurotransmission. On one hand, disturbed metabolism of tryptophan and tyrosine limited the participation of the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in synaptic vesicle recycling. On the other hand, dysregulated metabolism of the membrane lipids sphingomyelin and glycerophospholipids altered the synaptic membrane structure and neurotransmitter receptors (chrnα7, htr1b, drd5b, and gabra1) activity. Our findings revealed that disturbance of serotonergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission mediated by the JNK inflammatory cascade was the key pathogenic mechanism in a zebrafish model of BD, provides critical biological insights into the pathogenesis of BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yameng Li
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Mingcai Mao
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Linjuan He
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tiancai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yecan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zishu Li
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiyan Mu
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yongzhong Qian
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Jing Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Agri-food Quality and Safety of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Corresponding author
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15
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Abstract
Bipolar disorders (BDs) are recurrent and sometimes chronic disorders of mood that affect around 2% of the world's population and encompass a spectrum between severe elevated and excitable mood states (mania) to the dysphoria, low energy, and despondency of depressive episodes. The illness commonly starts in young adults and is a leading cause of disability and premature mortality. The clinical manifestations of bipolar disorder can be markedly varied between and within individuals across their lifespan. Early diagnosis is challenging and misdiagnoses are frequent, potentially resulting in missed early intervention and increasing the risk of iatrogenic harm. Over 15 approved treatments exist for the various phases of bipolar disorder, but outcomes are often suboptimal owing to insufficient efficacy, side effects, or lack of availability. Lithium, the first approved treatment for bipolar disorder, continues to be the most effective drug overall, although full remission is only seen in a subset of patients. Newer atypical antipsychotics are increasingly being found to be effective in the treatment of bipolar depression; however, their long term tolerability and safety are uncertain. For many with bipolar disorder, combination therapy and adjunctive psychotherapy might be necessary to treat symptoms across different phases of illness. Several classes of medications exist for treating bipolar disorder but predicting which medication is likely to be most effective or tolerable is not yet possible. As pathophysiological insights into the causes of bipolar disorders are revealed, a new era of targeted treatments aimed at causal mechanisms, be they pharmacological or psychosocial, will hopefully be developed. For the time being, however, clinical judgment, shared decision making, and empirical follow-up remain essential elements of clinical care. This review provides an overview of the clinical features, diagnostic subtypes, and major treatment modalities available to treat people with bipolar disorder, highlighting recent advances and ongoing therapeutic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S Goes
- Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Mood Disorders, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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16
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Zisook S, Domingues I, Compton J. Pharmacologic Approaches to Suicide Prevention. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2023; 21:137-144. [PMID: 37201142 PMCID: PMC10172553 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20220076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death that is often preventable. This article reviews the role of medications in treating suicidal behavior and in preventing suicide. For an acute suicidal crisis, ketamine, and perhaps esketamine, are emerging as important tools. For patients with chronic suicidality, clozapine remains the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antisuicidal medication, and its use is predominantly for patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. An abundance of literature supports the use of lithium among patients with mood disorders, including those with major depressive disorder. Despite the black box warning regarding antidepressants and suicide risk among children, adolescents, and young adults, antidepressants are widely used and remain helpful in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, primarily among patients with mood disorders. Treatment guidelines focus on the importance of optimizing treatment of the psychiatric conditions known to be associated with suicide risk. For patients with these conditions, the authors recommend focusing on suicide as an independent treatment target and using an enhanced medication management strategy that includes maintaining a supportive, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship; flexibility; collaboration; measurement-based care; consideration of combining medications with nonpharmacologic, evidence-based strategies; and ongoing safety planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidney Zisook
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego
| | - Isabel Domingues
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego
| | - Jason Compton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego
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17
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Gonda X, Dome P, Serafini G, Pompili M. How to save a life: From neurobiological underpinnings to psychopharmacotherapies in the prevention of suicide. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 244:108390. [PMID: 36940791 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The impact of suicide on our societies, mental healthcare, and public health is beyond questionable. Every year approximately 700 000 lives are lost due to suicide around the world (WHO, 2021); more people die by suicide than by homicide and war. Although suicide is a key issue and reducing suicide mortality is a global imperative, suicide is a highly complex biopsychosocial phenomenon, and in spite of several suicidal models developed in recent years and a high number of suicide risk factors identified, we still have neither a sufficient understanding of underpinnings of suicide nor adequate management strategies to reduce its prevalence. The present paper first overviews the background of suicidal behavior including its epidemiology, prevalence, age and gender correlations and its association with neuropsychiatric disorders as well as its clinical assessment. Then we give an overview of the etiological background, including its biopsychosocial contexts, genetics and neurobiology. Based on the above, we then provide a critical overview of the currently available intervention options to manage and reduce risk of suicide, including psychotherapeutic modalities, traditional medication classes also providing an up-to-date overview on the antisuicidal effects of lithium, as well as novel molecules such as esketamine and emerging medications and further molecules in development. Finally we give a critical overview on our current knowledge on using neuromodulatory and biological therapies, such as ECT, rTMS, tDCS and other options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Gonda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; NAP3.0-SE Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Peter Dome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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18
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Sher L, Oquendo MA. Suicide: An Overview for Clinicians. Med Clin North Am 2023; 107:119-130. [PMID: 36402494 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Most suicides have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, most frequently, a mood disorder. Psychosocial issues and neurobiological abnormalities such as dysregulation in stress response systems contribute to suicidal behavior. All psychiatric patients need to be screened for the presence of suicidal ideation. Clinicians are expected to gather information about patient's clinical features and to formulate decisions about patient's dangerousness to self and the treatment plan. As psychiatric disorders are a major risk factor for suicide their pharmacologic and psychological treatment is of utmost importance to prevent suicide. Restriction of access to lethal means is important for suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Sher
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Maria A Oquendo
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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19
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Lithium Use for Suicide Prevention, Revisited. J Psychiatr Pract 2023; 29:51-57. [PMID: 36649553 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The literature on lithium's role in suicide prevention is rife with competing interpretations and diverging opinions, in part stemming from the complexity of the underlying literature base. Conclusions that lithium unequivocally offers suicide prevention benefits do not appear warranted based on the strength of existing studies. Given the evidence along with the indisputable risks associated with lithium (especially in overdose), and the need for sustained therapeutic dosing to achieve any theoretical antisuicide benefit, it seems evident that any potential role for lithium in suicide prevention is far narrower than originally hypothesized. As such, the goal of this article is to provide an evidence-informed, therapeutic risk management approach to clinical decision-making concerning the use of lithium for suicide prevention to ensure that such prescribing is done in a patient-centered fashion that mitigates, to the extent possible, the potential risks of lithium use. This includes a review of potential justifications for not employing lithium for suicide prevention, given the recommendations in the existing guidelines. Clinicians should approach this clinical decision in an individualized fashion with full consideration of the potential risks associated with lithium use and availability, as well as potential alternative treatment options. An individualized risk/benefit analysis must also take into consideration the presence of comorbid conditions; the acuity of suicide risk, and any history of self-directed violence, with special attention to suicide attempts via overdose; treatment adherence, past and present; the presence and/or strength of a therapeutic relationship; and other viable treatment options.
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20
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Kovacs Z, Vestergaard P, W. Licht R, P. V. Straszek S, Hansen AS, H. Young A, Duffy A, Müller-Oerlinghausen B, Seemueller F, Sani G, Rubakowski J, Priller J, Vedel Kessing L, Tondo L, Alda M, Manchia M, Grof P, Ritter P, Hajek T, Lewitzka U, Bergink V, Bauer M, Nielsen RE. Lithium induced hypercalcemia: an expert opinion and management algorithm. Int J Bipolar Disord 2022; 10:34. [PMID: 36547749 PMCID: PMC9780408 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-022-00283-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lithium is the gold standard prophylactic treatment for bipolar disorder. Most clinical practice guidelines recommend regular calcium assessments as part of monitoring lithium treatment, but easy-to-implement specific management strategies in the event of abnormal calcium levels are lacking. METHODS Based on a narrative review of the effects of lithium on calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) homeostasis and its clinical implications, experts developed a step-by-step algorithm to guide the initial management of emergent hypercalcemia during lithium treatment. RESULTS In the event of albumin-corrected plasma calcium levels above the upper limit, PTH and calcium levels should be measured after two weeks. Measurement of PTH and calcium levels should preferably be repeated after one month in case of normal or high PTH level, and after one week in case of low PTH level, independently of calcium levels. Calcium levels above 2.8 mmol/l may require a more acute approach. If PTH and calcium levels are normalized, repeated measurements are suggested after six months. In case of persistent PTH and calcium abnormalities, referral to an endocrinologist is suggested since further examination may be needed. CONCLUSIONS Standardized consensus driven management may diminish the potential risk of clinicians avoiding the use of lithium because of uncertainties about managing side-effects and consequently hindering some patients from receiving an optimal treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Kovacs
- grid.27530.330000 0004 0646 7349Psychiatry, Research and Treatment Program for Bipolar Disorder, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 10, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Peter Vestergaard
- grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.27530.330000 0004 0646 7349Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.512802.cSteno Diabetes Center North Jutland, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Rasmus W. Licht
- grid.27530.330000 0004 0646 7349Psychiatry, Research and Treatment Program for Bipolar Disorder, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 10, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Sune P. V. Straszek
- grid.27530.330000 0004 0646 7349Psychiatry, Research and Treatment Program for Bipolar Disorder, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 10, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Anne Sofie Hansen
- grid.27530.330000 0004 0646 7349Psychiatry, Research and Treatment Program for Bipolar Disorder, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 10, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Allan H. Young
- grid.415717.10000 0001 2324 5535Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London & South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX UK
| | - Anne Duffy
- grid.410356.50000 0004 1936 8331Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Canada
| | | | - Florian Seemueller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neuropsychiatry, Kbo-Lech-Mangfall-Klinik Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Auenstr.6, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Sani
- grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy ,grid.411075.60000 0004 1760 4193Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Janusz Rubakowski
- grid.22254.330000 0001 2205 0971Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Josef Priller
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany ,grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and DZNE, 10117 Berlin, Germany ,grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988University of Edinburgh and UK DRI, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - Lars Vedel Kessing
- grid.466916.a0000 0004 0631 4836Copenhagen Affective Disorder Research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leonardo Tondo
- Mood Disorder Centro Lucio Bini, Cagliari, Italy ,Rome McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Alda
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada ,grid.447902.cNational Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Mirko Manchia
- grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy ,grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada ,grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital Agency of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paul Grof
- grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255Mood Disorders Center, Ottawa, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Phillip Ritter
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tomas Hajek
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada ,grid.447902.cNational Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Ute Lewitzka
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veerle Bergink
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY USA ,grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Bauer
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - René Ernst Nielsen
- grid.27530.330000 0004 0646 7349Psychiatry, Research and Treatment Program for Bipolar Disorder, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 10, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark ,grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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21
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Evidence does not confirm that lithium prevents suicide: a reply to Bschor et al. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2022; 31:e88. [PMID: 36510829 PMCID: PMC9762136 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796022000737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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22
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Letter of response to Nabi Z, Stansfeld J, Plöderl M, Wood L, Moncrieff J. Effects of lithium on suicide and suicidal behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2022 Sep 16;31:e65. doi: 10.1017/S204579602200049X. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2022; 31:e84. [PMID: 36440546 PMCID: PMC9714210 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796022000671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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23
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Ni RJ, Gao TH, Wang YY, Tian Y, Wei JX, Zhao LS, Ni PY, Ma XH, Li T. Chronic lithium treatment ameliorates ketamine-induced mania-like behavior via the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Zool Res 2022; 43:989-1004. [PMID: 36257830 PMCID: PMC9700503 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant drug, has been used to treat major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (BD). Recent studies have shown that ketamine may increase the potential risk of treatment-induced mania in patients. Ketamine has also been applied to establish animal models of mania. At present, however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In the current study, we found that chronic lithium exposure attenuated ketamine-induced mania-like behavior and c-Fos expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult male mice. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to determine the effect of lithium administration on the transcriptome of the PFC in ketamine-treated mice, showing inactivation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of AKT signaling by MK2206 (40 mg/kg), a selective AKT inhibitor, reversed ketamine-induced mania. Furthermore, selective knockdown of AKT via AAV-AKT-shRNA-EGFP in the mPFC also reversed ketamine-induced mania-like behavior. Importantly, pharmacological activation of AKT signaling by SC79 (40 mg/kg), an AKT activator, contributed to mania in low-dose ketamine-treated mice. Inhibition of PI3K signaling by LY294002 (25 mg/kg), a specific PI3K inhibitor, reversed the mania-like behavior in ketamine-treated mice. However, pharmacological inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with rapamycin (10 mg/kg), a specific mTOR inhibitor, had no effect on ketamine-induced mania-like behavior. These results suggest that chronic lithium treatment ameliorates ketamine-induced mania-like behavior via the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which may be a novel target for the development of BD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Jun Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tian-Hao Gao
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yi-Yan Wang
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jin-Xue Wei
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zhao
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Pei-Yan Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Ma
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tao Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510799, China. E-mail:
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24
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Riblet NB, Shiner B, Young-Xu Y, Watts BV. Lithium in the prevention of suicide in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e199. [PMID: 36384820 PMCID: PMC9707499 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Controversy exists regarding the efficacy of lithium for suicide prevention. Except for a recent trial that enrolled over 500 patients, available trials of lithium for suicide prevention have involved small samples. It is challenging to measure suicide in a single randomised controlled trial (RCT). Adding a single large study to existing meta-analyses may provide insights into lithium's anti-suicidal effects. We performed a meta-analysis of RCTs comparing lithium with a control condition for suicide prevention. MEDLINE and other databases were searched up to 30 November 2021. Efficacy was assessed by calculating the summary Peto odds ratio (OR) and incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals. Among seven RCTs, the odds of suicide were lower among patients receiving lithium versus control (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-1.02; IRR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.05-1.05), although the findings were still not statistically significant. The role of lithium in suicide prevention remains uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B Riblet
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA; and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brian Shiner
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA; and National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
| | - Yinong Young-Xu
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA; and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA; and Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
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25
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Methemoglobinemia in a Patent Presenting with an Undisclosed Intentional Overdose. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2022; 30:361-368. [PMID: 36534838 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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26
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McIntyre RS, Alda M, Baldessarini RJ, Bauer M, Berk M, Correll CU, Fagiolini A, Fountoulakis K, Frye MA, Grunze H, Kessing LV, Miklowitz DJ, Parker G, Post RM, Swann AC, Suppes T, Vieta E, Young A, Maj M. The clinical characterization of the adult patient with bipolar disorder aimed at personalization of management. World Psychiatry 2022; 21:364-387. [PMID: 36073706 PMCID: PMC9453915 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder is heterogeneous in phenomenology, illness trajectory, and response to treatment. Despite evidence for the efficacy of multimodal-ity interventions, the majority of persons affected by this disorder do not achieve and sustain full syndromal recovery. It is eagerly anticipated that combining datasets across various information sources (e.g., hierarchical "multi-omic" measures, electronic health records), analyzed using advanced computational methods (e.g., machine learning), will inform future diagnosis and treatment selection. In the interim, identifying clinically meaningful subgroups of persons with the disorder having differential response to specific treatments at point-of-care is an empirical priority. This paper endeavours to synthesize salient domains in the clinical characterization of the adult patient with bipolar disorder, with the overarching aim to improve health outcomes by informing patient management and treatment considerations. Extant data indicate that characterizing select domains in bipolar disorder provides actionable information and guides shared decision making. For example, it is robustly established that the presence of mixed features - especially during depressive episodes - and of physical and psychiatric comorbidities informs illness trajectory, response to treatment, and suicide risk. In addition, early environmental exposures (e.g., sexual and physical abuse, emotional neglect) are highly associated with more complicated illness presentations, inviting the need for developmentally-oriented and integrated treatment approaches. There have been significant advances in validating subtypes of bipolar disorder (e.g., bipolar I vs. II disorder), particularly in regard to pharmacological interventions. As with other severe mental disorders, social functioning, interpersonal/family relationships and internalized stigma are domains highly relevant to relapse risk, health outcomes, and quality of life. The elevated standardized mortality ratio for completed suicide and suicidal behaviour in bipolar disorder invites the need for characterization of this domain in all patients. The framework of this paper is to describe all the above salient domains, providing a synthesis of extant literature and recommendations for decision support tools and clinical metrics that can be implemented at point-of-care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Alda
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Ross J Baldessarini
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- International Consortium for Bipolar & Psychotic Disorders Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Michael Bauer
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Orygen, National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christoph U Correll
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Kostas Fountoulakis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Mark A Frye
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Heinz Grunze
- Allgemeinpsychiatrie Ost, Klinikum am Weissenhof, Weinsberg, Germany
- Paracelsus Medical Private University Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Lars V Kessing
- Copenhagen Affective Disorder Research Center, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David J Miklowitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Semel Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gordon Parker
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert M Post
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Bipolar Collaborative Network, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alan C Swann
- Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Trisha Suppes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine and VA Palo Alto Health Care -System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Allan Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Effects of lithium on suicide and suicidal behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2022; 31:e65. [PMID: 36111461 PMCID: PMC9533115 DOI: 10.1017/s204579602200049x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Lithium has long been believed to reduce the risk of suicide and suicidal behaviour in people with mood disorders. Previous meta-analyses appeared to support this belief, but excluded relevant data due to the difficulty of conducting meta-analysis of rare events. The current study is an updated systematic review and meta-analysis that includes all eligible data, and evaluates suicide, non-fatal suicidal behaviour (including suicidal ideation) and suicide attempts. METHODS We searched PubMed, PsycINFO and Embase and some trial registers. We included all randomised trials comparing lithium and placebo or treatment as usual in mood disorders published after 2000, to ensure suicide was reliably reported. Trial quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Pooled data were analysed using Fisher's Exact test. In addition, meta-analysis was conducted using various methods, prioritizing the Exact method. All trials were included in the analysis of suicide initially, regardless of whether they reported on suicide or not. We conducted a sensitivity analysis with trials that specifically reported on suicides and one that included trials published before 2000. Pre-specified subgroup analyses were performed involving suicide prevention trials, trials excluding people already taking lithium, trials involving people with bipolar disorder exclusively and those involving people with mixed affective diagnoses. Non-fatal suicidal behaviour and suicide attempts were analysed using the same methods, but only trials that reported these outcomes were included. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021265809. RESULTS Twelve eligible studies involving 2578 participants were included. The pooled suicide rate was 0.2% for people randomised to lithium and 0.4% with placebo or treatment as usual, which was not a statistically significant difference; odds ratio (OR) = 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.03-2.49), p = 0.45. Meta-analysis using the Exact method produced an OR of 0.42 (95% confidence interval 0.01-4.5). The result was not substantially different when restricted to 11 trials that explicitly reported suicides and remained statistically non-significant when including 15 trials published before 2000 (mostly in the 1970s). There were no significant differences in any subgroup analysis. There was no difference in rates of all non-fatal suicidal behaviour in seven trials that reported this outcome, or in five trials that reported suicide attempts specifically. Meta-analyses using other methods also revealed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from randomised trials is inconclusive and does not support the idea that lithium prevents suicide or suicidal behaviour.
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Lithium produces bi-directionally regulation of mood disturbance, acts synergistically with anti-depressive/-manic agents, and did not deteriorate the cognitive impairment in murine model of bipolar disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:359. [PMID: 36055984 PMCID: PMC9440114 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium (Li) is a well-established mood disorder treatment and may be neuroprotective. Bi-directional regulation (i.e. affecting manic symptoms and depressive symptoms) by Li has not been demonstrated. This study explored: (1) bidirectional regulation by Li in murine models of depression, mania, and bipolar disorder (BP); and (2) potential Li synergism with antidepressant/anti-mania agents. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and ketamine-induced mania (KM) models were used. These methods were used in series to produce a BP model. In vivo two-photon imaging was used to visualize Ca2+ activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Depressiveness, mania, and cognitive function were assessed with the forced swim task (FST), open field activity (OFA) task, and novel object recognition task, respectively. In CUMS mice, Ca2+ activity was increased strongly by Li and weakly by lamotrigine (LTG) or valproate (VPA), and LTG co-administration reduced Li and VPA monotherapy effects; depressive immobility in the FST was attenuated by Li or LTG, and attenuated more strongly by LTG-VPA or LTG-Li; novel object exploration was increased strongly by Li and weakly by LTG-Li, and reduced by LTG, VPA, or LTG-VPA. In KM mice, Li or VPA attenuated OFA mania symptoms and normalized Ca2+ activity partially; Li improved cognitive function while VPA exacerbated the KM alteration. These patterns were replicated in the respective BP model phases. Lithium had bi-directional, albeit weak, mood regulation effects and a cognitive supporting effect. Li co-administration with antidepressant/-manic agents enhanced mood-regulatory efficacy while attenuating their cognitive-impairing effects.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Suicide is a major, global, public health issue. Those who attempt suicide represent a high-risk subgroup for eventual death by suicide. We provide an update on emerging evidence for interventions for attempted suicide to reduce subsequent suicidal behavior. RECENT FINDINGS Major approaches that have been examined recently include pharmacological, psychosocial, brief active contact and outreach interventions, and digitally driven interventions. Notwithstanding the limited evidence base for most of these approaches, brief contact and follow-up interventions appear to have more robust effects on reduction of repeat suicidal behavior, including attempts; such approaches may have especial significance in emergency settings because of their brevity. Digital interventions for self-harm appear promising in the short-term whereas the evidence for pharmacological and psychosocial strategies remain inconclusive. SUMMARY Although current evidence supports the use of brief interventions, contact, and outreach for reducing risk of subsequent suicide attempts and suicidal behavior, there are large gaps and limitations in the evidence base related to trial design, lack of long-term efficacy data, and implementational challenges. More robustly designed long-term trials that examine integrated intervention approaches with well defined outcomes are needed to develop recommendations in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- SNEHA
- Dept of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai, India
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- University of Griffith, Australia
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30
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Effects of stress on endophenotypes of suicide across species: A role for ketamine in risk mitigation. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 18:100450. [PMID: 35685678 PMCID: PMC9170747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide, yet few interventions are available to mitigate its risk. Barriers to effective treatments involve a limited understanding of factors that predict the onset of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the context of suicide risk, stress is a precipitating factor that is largely overlooked in the literature. Indeed, the pathophysiology of stress and suicide are heavily interconnected, underscoring the need to target the stress system in suicide prevention. In this review, we integrate findings from the preclinical and clinical literature that links stress and suicide. We focus specifically on the effects of stress on underlying biological functions and processes associated with suicide, allowing for the review of research using animal models. Owing to the rapid anti-suicidal effects of (R,S)-ketamine, we discuss its ability to modulate various stress-related endophenotypes of suicide, as well as its potential role in preventing suicide in those with a history of chronic life stress (e.g., early life adversity). We highlight future research directions that could advance our understanding of stress-related effects on suicide risk, advocating a dimensional, endophenotype approach to suicide research. Suicide and chronic stress pathophysiology are interconnected. Chronic stress has profound impacts on several endophenotypes of suicide. Animal and human research points to stress as a precipitating factor in suicide. Ketamine modulates specific biological processes associated with stress and suicide. Suicide research into endophenotypes can help inform risk-mitigation strategies.
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31
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Katz IR, Ferguson RE, Liang MH. Suicide Risk and Lithium-Reply. JAMA Psychiatry 2022; 79:513-514. [PMID: 35262638 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ira R Katz
- Department of Psychiatry, Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ryan E Ferguson
- Boston Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew H Liang
- Boston Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.,Section of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manchia
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Alda
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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33
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Zhuo C, Chen G, Chen J, Tian H, Ma X, Li Q, Yang L, Zhang Q, Li R, Song X, Huang C. Lithium bidirectionally regulates depression- and mania-related brain functional alterations without worsening cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:963005. [PMID: 36186884 PMCID: PMC9520085 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.963005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium monotherapy has been proposed to have antidepressant and antimanic effects in patients with bipolar disorder (BP). However, so far, it is lack of evidence to support this proposition. The main aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that lithium bidirectionally regulates depression- and mania-related brain functional abnormalities in patients with BP. We also assessed the effects of lithium, alone and in combination with other pharmacological treatments, on patients' cognitive performance. We enrolled 149 drug-naïve patients with BP; 99 patients experiencing first depressive episodes were allocated randomly to four treatment groups [lithium (DP/Li), lithium with lamotrigine (LTG; DP/Li+LTG), LTG (DP/LTG), and valproate (VPA) with LTG (DP/VPA+LTG)], and 50 experiencing first hypo-manic episodes were allocated to two treatment groups (MA/Li and MA/VPA). For comparative analysis, 60 age-matched healthy individuals were also recruited. Whole-brain global and regional resting-state cerebral blood flow (rs-CBF) and cognitive alterations were examined before and after 12-week treatment. We have the following findings: DP/Li+LTG, and to a lesser extent DP/Li, alleviated the depression-related reduction in rs-CBF. MA/VPA and MA/Li reversed the mania-related elevation of rs-CBF completely and partially, respectively. Lithium alone improved cognitive performance during depressive and manic episodes; other tested treatments have no such effect or worsened cognitive ability. Our results showed that lithium bidirectionally regulates depression- and mania-associated brain functional abnormalities in patients with BP. Lithium monotherapy has a better antimanic effect than VPA, is superior to other tested treatments in improving cognition during the course of BP, and has satisfactory antidepressant effects in patients with BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zhuo
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing of Brain Circuits of Neurology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics Laboratory (PNGC_Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangdong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiayue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing of Brain Circuits of Neurology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongjun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing of Brain Circuits of Neurology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics Laboratory (PNGC_Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianchen Li
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing of Brain Circuits of Neurology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing of Brain Circuits of Neurology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing of Brain Circuits of Neurology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ranli Li
- Key Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics Laboratory (PNGC_Lab), Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueqin Song
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunhai Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou, China
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