Abstract
Objectives: the present study was aimed to investigate possible associations between polymorphisms of dopamine receptors genes type D2 (DRD2, DRD3 and DRD4) and prophylactic efficacy of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar affective disorder.
Material and methods: ninety two patients (54 female, 38 male) diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. Mean duration of lithium treatment was 14,6±7,5 years (range 5-32 years), and lithium dosage was adjusted to maintain lithium level in the range 0.5-0.8 mmol/l. Patients were divided into three subgroups based on lithium efficacy: excellent lithium responders (n=23), partial responders (n=47) and non-responders (n=22).
Results: no association between studied polymorphisms of dopamine receptors genes DRD2, DRD3, DRD3 and lithium efficacy was found in our group of patients with bipolar affective disorder.