Citation

Glenn MB, Wroblewski B, Parziale J, Levine L, Whyte J, Rosenthal M. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 1989; 68(5): 221-226.

Affiliation

New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2508726

Abstract

Lithium carbonate (LiCO3) was used to treat 10 brain-injured patients with severe, unremitting, aggressive, combative, or self destructive behavior or severe affective instability. Five patients had a dramatic response that resulted in significant improvement in their participation in a rehabilitative program. One other patient had a moderate response. A seventh patient improved dramatically, but regressed after 7 wk. Three other patients had neurotoxic side effects that precluded continued use of the medication. Two of them were simultaneously taking neuroleptic agents. These case reports provide further evidence that LiCO3 can be a useful medication in the treatment of aggressive behavior and affective instability after brain injury, but that it has significant potential for neurotoxicity in this population, particularly when used in conjunction with neuroleptic agents.

Language: en