Abstract
RationaleLithium remains the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder and also has important effects to lower suicidal behaviour, a property that may be linked to its ability to diminish impulsive, aggressive behaviour. The antioxidant drug, ebselen, has been proposed as a possible lithium-mimetic based on its ability in animals to inhibit inositol monophosphatase (IMPase), an action which it shares with lithium.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to determine whether treatment with ebselen altered emotional processing and diminished measures of risk-taking behaviour.MethodsWe studied 20 healthy participants who were tested on two occasions receiving either ebselen (3600 mg over 24 h) or identical placebo in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design. Three hours after the final dose of ebselen/placebo, participants completed the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) and a task that required the detection of emotional facial expressions (facial emotion recognition task (FERT)).ResultsOn the CGT, relative to placebo, ebselen reduced delay aversion while on the FERT, it increased the recognition of positive vs negative facial expressions.ConclusionsThe study suggests that at the dosage used, ebselen can decrease impulsivity and produce a positive bias in emotional processing. These findings have implications for the possible use of ebselen in the disorders characterized by impulsive behaviour and dysphoric mood.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00213-016-4319-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Lithium is best known for its ability to treat acute mania and prevent the recurrence of both mania and depression in patients with bipolar disorder
The study suggests that at the dosage used, ebselen can decrease impulsivity and produce a positive bias in emotional processing. These findings have implications for the possible use of ebselen in the disorders characterized by impulsive behaviour and dysphoric mood
Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we have previously found that ebselen treatment lowers inositol levels in anterior cingulate cortex in healthy participants (Singh et al 2015), suggesting inhibition of inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) by ebselen in humans
Summary
Lithium is best known for its ability to treat acute mania and prevent the recurrence of both mania and depression in patients with bipolar disorder. Consistent with this, a number of studies in nonbipolar patients have shown that lithium decreases the incidence of impulsive aggression (Sheard et al 1976; Craft et al 1987; Jones et al 2011). Such an effect could be important in the management of disorders that have been linked to violent behaviour towards the self and/or others. A form of drug treatment which has the efficacy of lithium but without its toxicity could be a worthwhile development in the management of impulsive aggression
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
