Abstract
We examined the EEGs of 31 patients who had been suffering from bipolar manicdepressive, taking lithium carbonate for 5 to 14 years. They were 13 male patients with the age range of 35 to 62 and 18 female with 24 to 69.
Seventy-five examinations were carried out at least twice for each patient at an interval of more than two years, when their conditions were relatively stable. We compared the first and the final data of each patient, which revealed the following results: 12 of them showed no change, 11 worse and 8 better.
Among those who showed worsened EEGs were patients of high age or those taking the medication for a long period. Their function of brain deteriorated, which was supposed to be related to aging.
Most of those who showed better change were female patients (7 female and 1 male) and impovement was distnctive among young patients.
Some patients show better EEGs findings, even if they were taking lithium carbonate for a long period. Since abnormalities of EEGs are reversible at least until they reach a certain age, we don't have to discontinue or reduce the medication for such patients. We should, however, be very cautious in dealing with elderly patients, especially those who are more than 55 years.
