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Getting balance: Drugs for bipolar disorder share target

Lithium and anticonvulsants such as valproic acid have the same end result: a more stable life for people with bipolar disorder. Now it seems they may also affect the same biochemical pathway in the brain.

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Figure 1: Intracellular signaling cascades involved in long term stabilization of mood by lithium (Li) and valproic acid (VPA).

Kimberly Homer

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Coyle, J., Manji, H. Getting balance: Drugs for bipolar disorder share target. Nat Med 8, 557–558 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0602-557

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