A physical perspective on lithium therapy

• Published in: Progress in biophysics and molecular biology Vol. 194; pp. 55 - 74
• Main Author: Kamp, Dana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Circadian rhythm; Humans; Lipid phase transition; Lithium - chemistry; Lithium - therapeutic use; Lithium Compounds - chemistry; Lithium Compounds - therapeutic use; Lithium therapy; Membrane buffers; Membrane-ion interactions; Nerve pulse; Membrane buffers; Lithium therapy; Circadian rhythm; Membrane-ion interactions; Lipid phase transition; Nerve pulse
• ISSN: 0079-6107; 1873-1732; 1873-1732
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.11.002

Lithium salts have strong medical properties in neurological disorders such as bipolar disorder and lithium-responsive headaches. They have recently gathered attention due to their potential preventive effect in viral infections. Though the therapeutic effect of lithium was documented by Cade in the late 1940s, its underlying mechanism of action is still disputed. Acute lithium exposure has an activating effect on excitable organic tissue and organisms, and is highly toxic. Lithium exposure is associated with a strong metabolic response in the organism, with large changes in phospholipid and cholesterol expression. Opposite to acute exposure, this metabolic response alleviates excessive cellular activity. The presence of lithium ions strongly affects lipid conformation and membrane phase unlike other alkali ions, with consequences for membrane permeability, buffer property and excitability. This review investigates how lithium ions affect lipid membrane composition and function, and how lithium response might in fact be the body’s attempt to counteract the physical presence of lithium ions at cell level. Ideas for further research in microbiology and drug development are discussed.