Question

There is some evidence that lithium may be effective in its treatment of bipolar disorder becaue it regulates the magnesium-calcium balance in the body. Would this appear to make sense from an inorganic chemist's point of view? Why or why not?

Using standard reduction potentials, decide whether hydrogen peroxide could be used to oxidize cerium(III) to cerium (IV)in an acidic aqueous solution.

Answer 1

Lithium carbonate, a drug for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, provides mood stability to treat an illness that causes recurrent episodes of mania and/or depression. The mechanism by which lithium acts to elicit these psychological changes remains unknown. Interestingly, this small bio-active salt has been shown to reduce the risk of suicide, and appears to lower the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. It has been proposed that lithium inhibits magnesium-dependent enzymes; however, there is no consensus as to how this occurs. Based on high resolution 7 Li, 23Na, and 31P T1 and Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement (PRE) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methods, which can be used to characterize the association of lithium (Li+ ) at magnesium (Mg2+)-phosphorus chelation sites, ATP·Mg·Li complex have been identified.

It is also proposed that lithium alter sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells and shift the intraneuronal metabolism of catecholamines.