• Search Research Projects
  • Search Researchers
  • How to Use
  1. Back to project page

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Effect of trace lithium on mental health: Examination on life stages

Research Project

  • PDF
Project/Area Number 19K17055
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
Research InstitutionThe University of Tokyo

Principal Investigator

Ando Shuntaro  東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 准教授 (20616784)

Project Period (FY) 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
Keywordsリチウム / 自殺関連行動
Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aimed to compare body lithium levels between suicide and non-suicide fatalities. This cross-sectional study included 12 suicides and 16 non-suicides who were examined or dissected at the Tokyo Medical Examiner’s Office from March 2018 to June 2021. The aqueous humor lithium concentration was measured twice using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mixed-effects model was conducted to account for all lithium concentration data. The aqueous humor lithium concentration did not change after death. The aqueous humor lithium concentration was lower in suicides (mean 0.50 μg/L) than in non-suicides (mean 0.92 μg/L). The random intercept model showed a significant effect of suicide on aqueous humor lithium concentration. The results of this study demonstrate that even micro-dose lithium is associated with suicide death. Clinical studies are warranted to examine the effects of micro-dose lithium on suicide prevention.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本では、近年は特に若者における自殺率増加が目立ち、その予防は喫緊の課題である。自殺予防効果が実証されている薬は少なく、効果が示されている炭酸リチウムも、副作用等のため過小利用が指摘される状況である。今回、世界で初めて体内の微量なリチウムが自殺と関連することが示されたことは、リチウムの活用に大きな展開をもたらすものである。微量であればリチウムによる副作用等の問題も少ないことが期待できるため、自殺予防としての微量リチウムの活用が展開することが期待される。今後は自殺者で体内リチウム濃度が低いメカニズムの解明が求められるとともに、微量リチウムの自殺予防効果の検証が進むことが期待される。

URL: 

Published: 2024-01-30  

Information User Guide FAQ News Terms of Use Attribution of KAKENHI

Powered by NII kakenhi