1. THE WNT SIGNALING PATHWAY AND THE IMPACT LITHIUM HAS ON IT The Pathophysiology of Bipolar Disorder CHELSEA ZAMORA

2. HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF BIPOLAR DISORDER The Wnt Signaling Pathway

3. 1. Wnt glycoproteins bind to a membrane receptor 2.GSK-3 is inhibited 3. Beta-Catenin is inhibited 4. Ultimately, inhibiting cell death The Wnt Signaling Pathway Cell Membrane Nuclear Membrane

4. LITHIUM HAS BEEN THE LEADING TREATMENT FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER FOR OVER 50 YEARS Lithium’s Impact on the Wnt Signaling Pathway

5. Cell Proliferation, Survival, and Resilience Lithium and the Wnt Signaling Pathway 1. Lithium enters the cell 2. GSK-3 is inhibited 3. Cell death is inhibited 4. bcl-2 is activated 5. Increasing the protection of the cell

6. SUGGESTING THAT THE WNT SIGNALING PATHWAY IS INVOLVED IN THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF BIPOLAR DISORDER Lithium prevents cell death and enhances cell protection through the Wnt Signaling Pathway