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LiF:Mg,Ti detectors show relative efficiency η for heavy charged particles significantly lower than one. It was for a long time not recognised that η varies also for electron energies and, as a consequence for photons. For LiF:Mg,Cu,P detectors measured photon energy response was named ‘anomalous’ because it differed significantly from the ratio of photon absorption coefficients. The decrease of η was explained as a microdosimetric effect due to local saturation of trapping centres around the electron track. For TLD-100 it was noticed by Horowitz that the measured photon energy response disagrees with the ratio of absorption coefficient by about 10%. It was demonstrated that a fraction of the TL signal in LiF:Mg,Ti is generated in the supralinear dose–response range, due to the high local doses generated by photon-induced tracks. Prediction of TL efficiency is particularly important in space dosimetry and in dosimetry of therapeutic beams like protons or carbon ions.

The monovalent cation lithium partially exerts its effects by activating neurotrophic and neuroprotective cellular cascades. Here, we discuss the effects of lithium on oxidative stress, programmed cell death (apoptosis), inflammation, glial dysfunction, neurotrophic factor functioning, excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial stability. In particular, we review evidence demonstrating the action of lithium on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated signal transduction, cAMP response element binding activation, increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the phosphatidylinositide cascade, protein kinase C inhibition, glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibition, and B-cell lymphoma 2 expression. Notably, we also review data from clinical studies demonstrating neurotrophic effects of lithium. We expect that a better understanding of the clinically relevant pathophysiological targets of lithium will lead to improved treatments for those who suffer from mood as well as neurodegenerative disorders.

For more than half a decade, lithium has been successfully used to treat bipolar disorder. Worldwide, it is considered the first-line mood stabilizer. Apart from its proven antimanic and prophylactic effects, considerable evidence also suggests an antisuicidal effect in affective disorders. Lithium is also effectively used to augment antidepressant drugs in the treatment of refractory major depressive episodes and prevent relapses in recurrent unipolar depression. In contrast to many psychiatric drugs, lithium has outlasted various pharmacotherapeutic ‘fashions’, and remains an indispensable element in contemporary psychopharmacology. Nevertheless, data from pharmacogenetic studies of lithium are comparatively sparse, and these studies are generally characterized by small sample sizes and varying definitions of response. Here, we present an international effort to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of lithium response in bipolar disorder. Following an initiative by the International Group for the Study of Lithium-Treated Patients (www.IGSLI.org) and the Unit on the Genetic Basis of Mood and Anxiety Disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health,lithium researchers from around the world have formed the Consortium on Lithium Genetics (www.ConLiGen.org) to establish the largest sample to date for genome-wide studies of lithium response in bipolar disorder, currently comprising more than 1,200 patients characterized for response to lithium treatment. A stringent phenotype definition of response is one of the hallmarks of this collaboration. ConLiGen invites all lithium researchers to join its efforts. Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Aim This study aims to compare younger and older populations of lithium-treated patients and to examine the impact of long-term lithium treatment on renal function. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional survey of all patients attending a specialist clinic was carried out. Demographic, clinical and biochemical data from the two groups were compared, and stepwise regression was used to investigate an association between duration of lithium treatment and renal function. Results The findings reveal a positive association between duration of lithium use and mean serum creatinine levels (t=3.369, p=0.001), and so prolonged lithium treatment may be a risk factor for progressive renal impairment. However, under appropriate supervision this may not be of clinical relevance. Conclusion We conclude that lithium can be safely prescribed over a protracted period of time, even in elderly populations, but should be monitored closely under specialist supervision, to ensure early identification and management of adverse effects.