Treatment of mania using a calcium antagonist--preliminary trial.

A study was undertaken on the effects on pure manic syndromes of the reduction of intracytoplasmic ionized calcium by administration of a calcium antagonist. Four well-known bipolar patients (manic type) were significantly improved. 1 patient was rapidly cured, though in this case (first attack in a young man) the possibility of spontaneous remission could not be excluded. 2 patients showed no improvement, suffering from a secondary manic state related to the onset of cerebral atrophy. If confirmed, these results should orientate future research in primary manic syndromes and in the mode of action of lithium on calcium metabolism.