“Lithum non‐responders” in a lithium clinic

Abstract

The outcome of long-term Li maintenance therapy administered to 107 manic-depressive patients after more than 12 mo. was investigated. Nine patients failed to respond despite having met the criteria for maintenance within the therapeutic range of Li. This group, termed lithium non-responders, had all shown bipolar illness with gross morbidity with frequent cycles, > 4/yr, 7 had a family history of affective illness (6 bipolar). No other clear factors common to the non-responders group were demonstrated.