Lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorders associated with epilepsy: an open study.

Eight DSM-III bipolar patients with seizure disorders were treated in an open study evaluating the effects of maintenance lithium treatment on affective relapses and clinical seizure activity. Lithium was effective in preventing the recurrence of affective episodes without worsening seizure frequency in patients with active seizures and did not induce seizures in those whose seizures were in remission. One patient showed remission of both affective and seizure symptoms on lithium alone. Lithium appears to be safe and effective in bipolar disorders associated with epilepsy and may have an anticonvulsant effect in some patients.