Does lithium carbonate therapy for alcoholism deter relapse drinking?

Recent Developments in Alcoholism : an Official Publication of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism, the Research Society on Alcoholism, and the National Council on Alcoholism
D C Clark, J Fawcett

Abstract

In order to test the efficacy of lithium therapy for alcoholism, to test whether lithium therapy reduces depressive symptoms among alcoholics, and to test whether any positive lithium treatment effects are associated with an antidepressant action, we undertook a double-blind placebo-controlled study of 122 patients meeting DSM-III criteria for alcohol dependence and hospitalized for alcoholism rehabilitation. We used survival analysis to examine the cumulative proportion of each treatment group that remained abstinent (i.e., "survived") over the course of 18 months, using complete abstinence from alcohol as the principal outcome measure. Our findings add support to the hypothesis that lithium carbonate promotes abstinence from alcohol and delays the time to first drink. Patients treated with lithium were much less likely to be rehospitalized for alcoholism rehabilitation during the 18-month follow-up. These effects did not appear to be related to the treatment of concomitant or underlying affective symptoms. We found no support, on the other hand, for the hypothesis that lithium therapy reduces the frequency of drinking for relapse drinkers.

Citations

Jan 1, 1990·Annals of Medicine·J D Sinclair
Aug 1, 1991·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·R Z Litten, J P Allen
Apr 24, 2010·CNS Spectrums·Icro MaremmaniHagop Akiskal
Jul 2, 2005·Journal of Psychiatric Practice·J F Goldberg
May 6, 2006·Journal of Affective Disorders·Icro MaremmaniHagop S Akiskal

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.