Calcium

How is calcium related to bipolar disorder?

Cellular calcium concentrations are potentially disrupted in bipolar disorder. Intracellular calcium has a fundamental role in neuronal excitation, transmitter synthesis and release, and synaptic function and plasticity, and disruptions to these functions can affect mood. Cellular calcium levels may be altered by lithium and other psychotropic drugs.

What is the evidence for calcium alterations in people with bipolar disorder?

Moderate to high quality evidence suggests a medium-sized effect of increased intracellular calcium in people with bipolar disorder compared to controls. This effect was apparent in platelets and lymphocytes, in patients with mania or depression symptoms but not during euthymia, and in drug naïve and drug free patients.

December 2021

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Last updated at: 11:32 am, 2nd December 2021
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NeuRA Libraries

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