Studies of aberrations in second messenger function may help to
elucidate some of the multiple complex neurobiological alterations in
bipolar affective disorders. The phosphatidylinositol and calcium ion
(Ca2+) second messengers are of particular interest because of evidence of
hyperactivity of these signaling mechanisms in both mania and bipolar
depression and of their normalization by lithium and other mood-
stabilizing treatments. Because the intracellular Ca2+ signal has a
biphasic action, a single aberration could explain diverse clinical
manifestations of the same illness, and a single action on the messenger
could explain the biphasic actions of many treatments for bipolar
disorders.Abstract Teaser