LAUSR

Introduction of lithium carbonate to treat manic excitement in 1949 by John Cade in Melbourne opened a new, revolutionary era in psychiatry with the first clinically effective pharmacological treatment for a major psychiatric disorder. By 1960, there followed explosive discovery and development of at least one of every class of psychotropic medicines currently available.1 Further development of lithium as a safe and effective treatment for bipolar disorder (BD), both for acute mania and reduction of risk of recurrences of mania and bipolar depression was led by Mogens Schou in Denmark, following the initial report of long-term protective effects by Cade.