Chapter One

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 cons ... read full excerpt from Metallotherapeutic Drugs and Metal-Based Diagnostic Agents: The Use of Metals in Medicine ebook