A University of Otago academic is working to ‘cage’ lithium to make it a safer and more effective treatment for patients with bipolar disorder (BD, mate rangirua).
Associate Professor Ailsa McGregor, of the School of Pharmacy, recently received $150,000 from the Health Research Council to help with the research.
Associate Professor Ailsa McGregor
She and her team will investigate how lithium used for BD treatment can be optimised to reduce unwanted side effects.
Ailsa is grateful to have the funding, which builds on support from the Neurological Foundation to continue their journey towards helping patients living with BD.
BD is one of the top ten most debilitating non-communicable diseases in the world with current medications not operating ideally, she says.
BD affects people in the prime of their lives and has considerable economic impact through an increased risk of substance abuse, incarceration, social problems, and low academic achievement.
Lithium is a highly effective medication for BD patients because it manages the highs and lows they feel and is the only medication known to reduce suicide risk, but it has shortcomings, she says
“Lithium has a narrow ‘therapeutic index’ which means the effective dose is close to the toxic dose.”
This toxicity can lead to problems with kidney and thyroid function in the long-term and so lithium levels need to be carefully monitored through recurring blood tests which is a burden for patients on top of them being unwell, she says.
These factors mean not all patients take their medication according to their healthcare provider’s instructions.
The study is unique in that it will investigate patient’s perspectives and determine the cultural acceptability of the new ‘caged’ lithium
BD affects Māori disproportionally (some 4.6 per cent of Māori are affected by BD compared with 1.8 per cent of New Zealand Europeans) and, it is vital for these perspectives are taken into consideration, she says.
“Our research is transdisciplinary and translational. It involves a diverse group of experts as well as a te ao Māori worldview of drug development which will hopefully benefit both Māori and non-Māori service users.
“We think of it as reverse translation, what we learn from our patients will inform the medication we develop.
“It’s going to challenging, but it’s an incredibly exciting step forward.”
The research team is:
Professor Christian Hartinger (University of Auckland); Associate Professor Dave Goldstone (University of Auckland); Dr Ian Soosay (Clinical Director Mental Health & Addiction at Counties Manukau Health); Dr Kiri Prentice, Ngai Tuhoe and Ngāti Awa (Deputy Clinical Director Māori, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Mental Health and Addiction services); Dr Rees Tapsell, Ngāti Whakaue - Te Arawa Waka, (Director, Te Whatu Ora – Waikato Mental Health and Addiction Services).