QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, May 31, 2006, 26(22):6031-6039; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0580-06.2006

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (3) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Youngs, R. M. Articles by Konradi, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Youngs, R. M. Articles by Konradi, C.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Development/Plasticity/Repair
Lithium Administration to Preadolescent Rats Causes Long-Lasting Increases in Anxiety-Like Behavior and Has Molecular Consequences

Rachael M. Youngs,¹ Melissa S. Chu,¹ Edward G. Meloni,^2,3 Alipi Naydenov,¹ William A. Carlezon, Jr,^2,3 and Christine Konradi^1,3

¹Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and ²Behavioral Genetics Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478, and ³Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Correspondence should be addressed to Christine Konradi, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478. Email: konradi{at}mclean.harvard.edu

Lithium (Li) is frequently used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BPD), a debilitating condition that is increasingly diagnosed in children and adolescents. Because the symptoms of BPD in children are different from the typical symptoms in adulthood and have significant overlap with other childhood psychiatric disorders, this disorder is notoriously difficult to diagnose. This raises the possibility that some children not affected by BPD are treated with Li during key periods of brain development. The objective of this investigation was to examine the long-term effects of Li on the developing brain via a series of behavioral and molecular studies in rats. Rat pups were reared on Li chow for 3 weeks. Parallel groups were tested while on Li chow or 2 and 6 weeks after discontinuation of treatment. We found increased measures of anxiety-like behavior at all times tested. Gene microarray studies of the amygdala revealed that Li affected the expression of gene transcripts of the synapse and the cytoskeleton, suggesting that the treatment induced synaptic adjustments. Our study indicates that Li can alter the trajectory of brain development. Although the effects of Li on the normal brain seems unfavorable, effects on the abnormal brain cannot be determined from these studies alone and may well be therapeutic. Our results indicate that Li administration to the normal brain has the potential for lasting adverse effects.

Key words: amygdala; anxiety; behavior; development; elevated plus maze; gene expression microarrays; lithium

---

Received Nov. 7, 2005; revised April 25, 2006; accepted April 26, 2006.

Correspondence should be addressed to Christine Konradi, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478. Email: konradi{at}mclean.harvard.edu

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help