Review of lithium effects on immune cells

Abstract

One of the remarkable discoveries in the field of psychopharmacology from late 1940s is Lithium (Li) that reminds of old but still gold. It continues to be a distinctive mood stabilizer that matches various standards recommended for mood stabilizers. Apart from this Li is also known to affect immune cell functions. Lithium response and regulations of different immune cells in bipolar patients, related immune disorders are not well defined. Here, we provide an overview of literature with regard to Li's effects on different immune cells. However, the use of Li is currently limited to bipolar disorders and there is no empirical evidence for immune cell disorders. The objective of this article is to provide the evaluations of Li responses towards the different immune cells based on the existing studies. Further, more studies are needed to understand the mechanistic basis and heterogeneous responses of Li's effect in bipolar, also unravel relative immune disorders.

• Bipolar/Immune diseases
• lithium
• macrophages
• pharmacokinetics
• thymocytes

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.