LITHIUM LEVELS IN BIPOLAR ILLNESS

这项研究已经进行了5年，现在是第4年，为此我们

This study (which is in its fourth of five years, and for which we are requesting four additional years of support) is designed to address and resolve as-yet unanswered questions about the effects and effectiveness of a lower-than-standard range of lithium (0.4-0.6 mEq/1) in the maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar affective illness. We are comparing and contrasting this lower level with a more standard one (0.8-1.0 mEq/1) regarding protection against relapse, the presence of less severe affective symptoms, and association with unwanted and toxic effects. This double-blind study is being run concomitantly at both the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medicare Center. Projected intake to completion is 175 subjects at the two sites, with patients randomly assigned to the two different treatment regimens.