Neurotoxicity in long-term lithium therapy: an electroneurographic study
Eisenstädter, A.; Seiser, A.; Brainin, M.
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 101(5): 166-168
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5325 PMID: 2540592 Document Number: 328809
In a series of 16 patients on long-term lithium therapy pathological changes were found in peripheral nerve conduction. Such changes correlated with the duration of lithium therapy (mean: 8.3 years, range: 3-15 years; p < 0.05). No patient showed clinical signs of polyneuropathy or any other disease known to be frequently associated with peripheral nerve lesions. Compared with an age-matched normal control group (n = 27) the nerve conduction velocity of the sural nerve was reduced (p < 0.05), for which a chronic neurotoxic effect is considered to be the most probable mechanism.