Drug design lithium drugs

In this age of sophisticated drug design and biotechnolcgy, the simple lithium ion is still the most effective treatment of this destructive psy-cholcgical disorder. Remarkably, in spite of intensive research, scientists still do not fully understand the biochemical action of lithium that leads to its therapeutic effects. Because of its similarity to Na, Li" is incorporated into blood plasma, where it can affect the behavior of nerve and muscle cells. Because Li has a smaller radius than Na (Figure 7.7), the way Li interacts with molecules in human cells is different from the way Na interacts with the molecules. Other studies indicate that Li alters the function of certain neurotransmitters, which might lead to its effectiveness as an antipsychotic drug. 

In this age of sophisticated drug design and biotechnology, the simple lithium ion is stiU the most effective treatment of a destructive psychological disorder. Remarkably, in spite of intensive research, scientists stiU don t fully understand the biochemical action of lithium that leads to its therapeutic effects. 

Reviews of the literature comparing CBZ or oxcarbamazepine with placebo, lithium, or various antipsychotics for acute mania find a response rate approaching 70% (203, 204). One of the problems with this literature, however, is that most studies qualify for only a class III design (see also the section Evaluation of Drug Study Designs in Chapter 2). 

High-rate designs are employed in cardiac defibrillators, while moderate rate units find applications in implantable neurosimulators and drug infusion devices. Lithium/SVO batteries are employed for biomedical applications and as such must be produced under the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for medical devices of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

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