A Longitudinal Investigation of Lithium as a Prophylactic Agent for Recurrent Depressions

Abstract

Twenty-one patients with recurrent endogenous depressions were treated with lithium carbonate for periods up to two and a half years. Although depressions did not recur in six of eight patients with non-periodic disorders who were on lithium, the treatment did not reduce the frequency of exacerbation in eleven of thirteen periodic disorders. Urinary measurements of sodium, potassium 17-ketosteroids, hydroxy-steroids and lithium in several of the patients did not help to differentiate them by their reaction to lithium. It is concluded that the notion of lithium as an effective prophylactic agent against recurrent depressions, based on decreased frequency or increased interval between episodes, is not supported by this study.