Mood Stabilizers · Pharmacology

Which of the following is the primary proposed mechanism of action for Lithium in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder?

  1. Inhibition of inositol monophosphatase
  2. Direct agonism of GABA-A receptors
  3. Blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels
  4. Irreversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase
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Correct answer: Inhibition of inositol monophosphatase

Lithium inhibits the inositol signaling pathway by depleting free inositol through the inhibition of inositol monophosphatase. This 'inositol depletion hypothesis' suggests that overactive signaling in manic states is dampened by reducing the recycling of phosphoinositides.

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