Posted by Squiggles on May 25, 2007, at 7:48:05
In reply to Re: Some questions about Lithium., posted by linkadge on May 25, 2007, at 6:39:35
I think that assertion may be false.
Looking at PubMed articles, i see that
lithium is actually *given* for Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's.There *are* cases where the tremor mimics
Parkinson's, but that is not the same thing.
This poor man at 71 had lithium toxicity-- something which is easily avoidable with frequent blood tests. Lithium requires regular check-up, especially at older ages.
"1: Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1994 Summer;9(2):127-9. Links
Chronic lithium neurotoxicity presenting as Parkinson's disease.* Lecamwasam D,
* Synek B,
* Moyles K,
* Ghose K.Western Bay Health Tauranga, Auckland, New Zealand.
A 71 year old man who had been on lithium for 9 years for mania presented with an encephalopathic illness which was almost certainly due to lithium intoxication. Having recovered from this acute episode (although he was left with some sequelae) he was recommenced on lithium for his manic symptoms with a careful control of his blood levels. After remaining fairly stable for 8 years he presented with features suggestive of Parkinsonism and was admitted to hospital for investigation. There was no history of taking additional medication such as antidepressants or antipsychotics. He died in hospital and a post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as acute myocardial infarction. However histological examination of the brain revealed neurological sequelae of chronic lithium intoxication. There was no evidence of degenerative condition such as Parkinsonism or Alzheimer's disease."
Squiggles
poster:Squiggles
thread:759071
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070524/msgs/759411.html