The Production of Cognitive Deficits

TOXICITY TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM The Production of Cognitive Deficits 

It is now generally accepted that lithium can impair intellectual function. For example, Shaw et al. (1987) found impairments of memory and hand motor speed on lithium. In Manic-Depressive Illness, a book written wholly from a biopsychiatric perspective, Frederick Goodwin and Kay Jamison (1990) nonetheless concluded that lithium does cause serious cognitive impairments. They summarized much of the literature up to that time and declared, 

Since the drug s primary action is mediated through the central nervous system, it is not surprising that lithium can cause cognitive 

More recently, Stip et al. (2000) summarized the literature on lithium-induced memory problems Several studies have shown cognitive impairment in short-term memory, long-term memory and psychomotor speed in bipolar patients taking lithium. Their study aimed at testing the effect of lithium in normal subjects in a double-blind, 3-week study. They found that lithium-treated volunteers had long-term memory deficits on recalling words compared to the placebo group. 

---