Chapter One
[3.sub.Li] Lithium
Metallotherapeutics
Robin S.B. Williams and Adrian J. Harwood
1.1 Introduction
Lithium, from the Greek word 'lithos' or stone, is the smallest and lightest
solid element - a monovalent cation appearing third on the periodic table. It is well
known for its use in batteries, metal alloys, glass manufacture and for its
clinical use in the treatment of manic depression or bipolar disorder (BD), a
chronic disorder which affects between 1 and 2% of the population and is
characterized by episodic periods of elevated and/or depressed mood. This
disorder severely reduces patients' quality of life and dramatically increases
the likelihood of these patients committing suicide. Lithium's clinical role has
given rise to extensive amounts of scientific research; however, despite this,
there is still considerable debate regarding its medicinal targets. It is also
unclear how such a structurally simple ion can have such a profound effect
on specific and complex medical disorders such as BD.
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