Genetic Predictors of Lithium Response in Bipolar Disorder

Inclusion Criteria

• Are 18 years of age or older;
• Have a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder, I or II;
• Have no contraindications, allergies, or previous adverse events or treatment failures with lithium;
• Women who are not currently pregnant and are willing and able to use birth control;
• Are clinically appropriate to treat with lithium.

Exclusion Criteria

• DSM-IV Axis I Diagnosis: other primary comorbid axis I disorders such as: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder;
• Alcohol or Substance Dependence: meets criteria for dependence within past 3 months;
• Unstable Medial Conditions: Life threatening or unstable medical condition that require active adjustment of medications by medical history; or
• Medical Conditions: concomitant medical condition that would preclude the use of lithium (i.e.: renal failure, head trauma with loss of consciousness, or clinically significant cardiac, renal, hepatic, neoplastic, or cardiovascular disease);
• Concomitant treatment with the following medications (during maintenance Phase): antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety agent with the exception of benzodiazepines, to be used if needed for anxiety or insomnia, not to exceed 10 doses/week, or mood stabilizers with the exception of lithium; and
• Active suicidal or homicidal ideations as elicited in the interviews.
• Stable and doing well on a mood stabilizer other than lithium.