Menière's Disease Preliminary Report of Lithium Treatment

On the assumption that the hydrops of the endolymphatic space present in Meniere's disease is due to a defective transport of water and ions between the endo- and perilymphatic space, the authors in an open pilot study treated patients with this disease with lithium carbonate, as lithium among many biological effects acts on transport of ions across membranes. Our results showed that in 70% (21 patients) the effect of the treatment was excellent, judging by the patients' own statements concerning the reduction in the frequency and severity of the attacks. The remaining 30% (9 patients) obtained no relief or only a doubtful effect of the treatment. Although a placebo effect cannot be ruled out in this open trial, the high (70%) and persisting (17 months) effect does justify continued investigations into the effect of lithium upon Meniere's disease.