Li+   Click here for help

GtoPdb Ligand ID: 5212

Synonyms: lithium ion
Approved drug
Li+ is an approved drug (FDA (1970))
Compound class: Inorganic
Comment: Lithium is a long-standing psychiatric medicine of unclear mechanism. A number of enzymes have been proposed as potential targets of lithium action, including inositol monophosphatase, a family of structurally related phosphomonoesterases, and the protein kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (see [4] and the DrugBank link). Administered as salt formulations such as the carbonate PubChem CID 11125
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View more information in the IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project: lithium

No information available.
Summary of Clinical Use Click here for help
Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder counteracting both mania and depression. Lithium may also be used to prevent migraine and cluster headaches [3].
Mechanism Of Action and Pharmacodynamic Effects Click here for help
Current evidence suggests that lithium may act through two molecular pathways to exert its beneficial effects. These are both enzymatic pathways:
1. inhibition of inositol monophosphatase within the phosphatidylinositol signalling pathway
2. inhibition of the protein kinase glycogen synthase kinase 3 in Wnt/β-catenin signalling
In both cases lithium is believed to inhibit the enzymes by displacing the normal regulatory co-factor Mg2+ [5]. The evidence behind these mechanisms is reviewed in [1].