Methodology for rapid assessment of blood lithium levels in ultramicro volumes of blood plasma for applications in personal monitoring of patients with bipolar mood disorder

Abstract

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mental health condition, characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy, and behavior. BD is often managed through mood-stabilizing medications, of which lithium formulations remain the most reliable and effective at reducing the risk of suicide. To achieve adequate and consistent efficacy, lithium concentrations need to be maintained within a narrow therapeutic range (0.4 to 1.2 mmol∕L). Because of its narrow therapeutic index, long-term lithium therapy is associated with serious side effects and risks of toxicity. It is believed that the availability of a personal blood lithium analyzer would benefit patients who are on lithium treatment. We detail the results of a spectrophotometric method performed on ultramicro volumes to determine blood plasma lithium concentrations as compared with reference measurements of flame photometry, and validated in samples of unknown lithium content. Applying multiple linear regression, lithium concentrations could be determined in a rapid manner using full-range spectra or triwavelength data. Both techniques highly correlated with reference standards and could predict lithium levels accurately (R 2 ¼ 0.794214 and RMSEP ¼ 0.209584, and R 2 ¼ 0.863921 and RMSEP ¼ 0.167524, respectively). Therefore, this method can be a useful for rapid assessment of blood lithium in nonlaboratory settings i.e., general practices, hospital clinics, and community health centers by healthcare professionals and/or by patients. Future work will now focus on completion of a miniaturized and integrated system that will deliver a portable and personal lithium-monitoring device.

Experimental and Computational Studies of Azo Dye-Modified Luminol Oligomers: Potential Application in Lithium Ion Sensing

“…The UV–visible spectrum of PLu in Figure a revealed peaks at 290 and 420 nm. The 290 nm peak was associated with the π–π* transition, while the 420 nm peak was correlated to the n –π* transition as reported in our previous studies. − The same peaks appeared at 300 and 405 nm, respectively, in the theoretically computed spectrum. The experimental UV–visible spectrum of OBB/PLu-20/80 (Figure b) revealed peaks at 350 and 430 nm, whereas the theoretical spectrum revealed peaks at 350 and 450 nm.…”

“…Lithium chloride was chosen as a model compound along with a lithium carbonate drug, which is widely used to treat mental disorders such as bipolar disorder. 24 The drug has a narrow therapeutic index, and long-term effects can increase the chances of toxicity. 24 Hence, a technique is required that can provide rapid measurement of lithium in an accurate manner to improve the compliance of lithium treatment with possible reduction in toxicity.…”

“…24 The drug has a narrow therapeutic index, and long-term effects can increase the chances of toxicity. 24 Hence, a technique is required that can provide rapid measurement of lithium in an accurate manner to improve the compliance of lithium treatment with possible reduction in toxicity. We have used a spectrophotometric method for the detection of lithium in salt with the view of possibly fabricating a device for simple measurement of lithium doses.…”

“…Computational DFT studies were carried out using the DFT/B3LYP method with the 6-311G­(d) basis set to compare and verify the experimental data. Lithium chloride was chosen as a model compound along with a lithium carbonate drug, which is widely used to treat mental disorders such as bipolar disorder . The drug has a narrow therapeutic index, and long-term effects can increase the chances of toxicity .…”

Advances in Therapeutic Monitoring of Lithium in the Management of Bipolar Disorder

“…However, while electrical impedance spectroscopy offers exceptional accuracy in detecting conductivity variations, electrical impedance sensing using non-functionalized electrodes lacks specificity to a single element. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the integration of optical and impedance measurements offering a high degree of selectivity and sensitivity, respectively, could provide an improved method for lithium determination [ 56 , 57 , 58 ]. Titrimetric analysis has also been coupled with optical spectroscopy to achieve Li+ detection, utilizing an ionophore-based titration reagent [ 59 ].…”