Decreased anterior cingulate myo-inositol/creatine spectroscopy resonance with lithium treatment in children with bipolar disorder

This project was designed to compare differences in brain proton spectra be tween children and adolescents with bipolar disorder (BPD) and gender and a ge-matched normal controls, and to measure changes in myo-inositol levels f ollowing lithium therapy, utilizing in vivo proton magnetic resonance spect roscopy (H-1 MRS). A single voxel (2X2X2 cm3) was placed in brain anterior cingulate cortex for acquisition of the H-1 spectra at baseline and after a cute (similar to 7days) lithium administration in 11 children (mean age 11. 4 years) diagnosed with BPD, and in 11 normal controls. Acute lithium treat ment was associated with a significant reduction in the myo-inositol/creati ne ratio. This decrement was also significant in lithium-responders when an alyzed seperate from non-responders. Compared to normal controls, BPD subje cts showed a trend towards a higher myo-inositol/creatine during the manic phase. These preliminary data provide evidence that a significant reduction in anterior cingulate myo-insolitol magnetic resonance may occur after lit hium treatment, especially among responders. Follow-up studies involving a larger sample may allow us to confirm whether changes in myoinositol associ ated with acute lithium therapy persist in long-term clinical response of p atients with and without lithium compliance. (C) 2001 American College of N europsychopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.