Lithium Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Controls (LiMRIC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The characterisation of lithium distribution in the healthy brain using Lithium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (7LI-MRI).
IRAS ID
235851
Contact name
David Cousins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a serious mental illness that affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, and can have a profound effect on well-being. Lithium can be very effective in reducing the frequency and duration of manic and depressive episodes characterised by BD. However, only a subset of patients respond well to lithium.\n\nDifferences in lithium distribution in the brain may prove to be important with regards to lithium response. The recent development of a novel magnetic resonance lithium imaging technique (7LI-MRI) at Newcastle University has enabled the direct observation of lithium distribution within the brain of individuals with BD. However, the scan-rescan reliability of this method has yet to be systematically appraised.\n\nThe proposed observational study will investigate the distribution of lithium within the brains of healthy subjects over the duration of two weeks. The investigation of healthy subjects avoids major confounds that present in patient cohorts, while also allowing comparison with patient studies. Repeated scanning will also enable the scan-rescan reliability of images acquired using 7LI-MRI to be quantified.\n\nThe sample will consist of healthy male volunteers (n = 10), who will undergo a mental health screening assessment to ensure that they are eligible for participation. This initial appointment will take approximately one hour. Subjects will attend four appointments in total which will include blood testing to ensure safe lithium serum levels. Eligible subjects will be required to take an individualised dose of lithium for two weeks.\n\nThe other three appointments, on days 14, 15 and 21 of the study, will also involve back-to-back brain scans, which will take one hour. Subjects will also be required to complete an online sleep record for the duration of the study, including seven days prior to lithium initiation, and complete a brief battery of neurocognitive tests at each study visit. \n
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0033
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion