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Lithium Augmentation
Lithium augmentation enhances the efficacy of antidepressant medications by potentiating serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission in the brain.
Lithium augmentation enhances the efficacy of antidepressant medications by potentiating serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission in the brain. Used for Major depressive disorder with inadequate response to antidepressant monotherapy, Treatment-resistant depression.
At a glance
| Generic name | Lithium Augmentation |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Lithium carbonate, Eskalith |
| Sponsor | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health |
| Drug class | Mood stabilizer / Augmentation agent |
| Target | Inositol monophosphatase; protein kinase C; glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Mental Health |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Lithium is added to existing antidepressant therapy to improve treatment response in patients with major depressive disorder who have shown inadequate response to antidepressants alone. The mechanism involves modulation of intracellular signaling pathways, including inhibition of inositol monophosphatase and effects on protein kinase C, which enhance neuroplasticity and neurotrophic factor expression. This augmentation strategy is particularly effective in treatment-resistant depression.
Approved indications
- Major depressive disorder with inadequate response to antidepressant monotherapy
- Treatment-resistant depression
Common side effects
- Tremor
- Polyuria and polydipsia
- Cognitive impairment
- Weight gain
- Gastrointestinal disturbance
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Lithium toxicity (at high levels)
Key clinical trials
- Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Adolescent Depression (STAR-AD) (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- RCT of Brain Longitudinal Biomarker Study (OPT-Neuro RCT) (PHASE4)
- The Role of Dopamine Metabolism in the Antidepressant Effects of Sleep Deprivation and Sertraline in Depressed Patients (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Optimizing Outcomes of Treatment-Resistant Depression in Older Adults (PHASE4)
- Psychoeducational Group for Depression (NA)
- Psychopharmacotherapy for Depressive Patients (NA)
- A Comparison of Two Psychotherapy Programs in Persistently Depressed Treatment-Resistant Inpatients (NA)
- Precision Medicine for the Prediction of Treatment (PROMPT) Response (PROMPT)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |