Lithium mechanism of action in Mania and bipolar disorder for USMLE/NEET/FMGE/PLAB

Lithium mechanism of action in Mania and bipolar disorder for USMLE/NEET/FMGE/PLAB Lithium is a complicated drug as far as its mechanism is concerned. It primarily acts via two pathways i.e. GPCR and Beta catenin pathway. 1. GPCR pathway - GPCR pathway upon activation increase production of BDNF in the brain. Lithium blocks GPCR pathway by blocking the receptor as well as inositol monophosphatase. Hence it produces antimania effect by decreasing BDNF production.