BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported that lithium can increase the volume of gray matter in the human brain, a finding that has been ascribed to the established neurotrophic or neuroprotective effects of the drug. Lithium, however, might directly influence the intensity of the magnetic resonance signal so it is possible that the volumetric findings are artifactual, essentially a consequence of altered image contrast. METHODS: Anatomical and quantitative magnetic resonance scans were acquired on 31 healthy young men before and after taking either lithium or placebo for 11 days. Brain volume change was derived with two established techniques: voxel-based morphometry (a statistical approach using signal intensity to segment images into tissue types), and Structural Image Evaluation, using Normalization, of Atrophy (a technique that operates by detecting changes in the position of the boundaries of the brain). In a subgroup (n = 12), tissue-specific magnetic resonance relaxation times were compared before and after lithium with quantitative T1-mapping techniques. RESULTS: Voxel-based morphometry revealed that gray matter volume was increased by lithium but not placebo (p = .001), whereas Structural Image Evaluation, using Normalization, of Atrophy showed no difference between lithium and placebo (p = .23). Taking lithium reduced the T1 relaxation of the gray matter only (p = .008). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance images of the brain differ before and after lithium, but this difference might derive from a change in the characteristics of the signal rather than a tangible increase in volume.
BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported that lithium can increase the volume of gray matter in the human brain, a finding that has been ascribed to the established neurotrophic or neuroprotective effects of the drug. Lithium, however, might directly influence the intensity of the magnetic resonance signal so it is possible that the volumetric findings are artifactual, essentially a consequence of altered image contrast. METHODS: Anatomical and quantitative magnetic resonance scans were acquired on 31 healthy young men before and after taking either lithium or placebo for 11 days. Brain volume change was derived with two established techniques: voxel-based morphometry (a statistical approach using signal intensity to segment images into tissue types), and Structural Image Evaluation, using Normalization, of Atrophy (a technique that operates by detecting changes in the position of the boundaries of the brain). In a subgroup (n = 12), tissue-specific magnetic resonance relaxation times were compared before and after lithium with quantitative T1-mapping techniques. RESULTS: Voxel-based morphometry revealed that gray matter volume was increased by lithium but not placebo (p = .001), whereas Structural Image Evaluation, using Normalization, of Atrophy showed no difference between lithium and placebo (p = .23). Taking lithium reduced the T1 relaxation of the gray matter only (p = .008). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance images of the brain differ before and after lithium, but this difference might derive from a change in the characteristics of the signal rather than a tangible increase in volume.
Authors: Nailin Yao; Anderson M Winkler; Jennifer Barrett; Gregory A Book; Tamara Beetham; Rachel Horseman; Olivia Leach; Karen Hodgson; Emma E Knowles; Samuel Mathias; Michael C Stevens; Michal Assaf; Theo G M van Erp; Godfrey D Pearlson; David C Glahn Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2017-05-08 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: José M Goikolea; Danai Dima; Ramón Landín-Romero; Imma Torres; Giuseppe DelVecchio; Marc Valentí; Benedikt L Amann; Caterina Mar Bonnín; Peter J McKenna; Edith Pomarol-Clotet; Sophia Frangou; Eduard Vieta Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2019-03-07 Impact factor: 9.306
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Authors: Carl Johan Ekman; Predrag Petrovic; Anette G M Johansson; Carl Sellgren; Martin Ingvar; Mikael Landén Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2016-06-11 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Grazyna Rajkowska; Gerard Clarke; Gouri Mahajan; Camilla M M Licht; Henri J J M van de Werd; Peter Yuan; Craig A Stockmeier; Husseini K Manji; Harry B M Uylings Journal: Bipolar Disord Date: 2016-02-04 Impact factor: 6.744