Antidepressant action of lithium: Proposed mechanism based upon behavioral analysis in the mouse

Abstract

• 1.

  1. Mice receiving lithium carbonate (1.5 or 3 mg/ml) in their drinking water for a duration of 7 to 10 days were examined on a battery of psychopharmacological tests.

• 2.

  2. The well-known learned aversion of rats for lithium was confirmed in mice and the increase in body weight was reduced by lithium. These two effects were concentration-dependent.

• 3.

  3. Lithium partly antagonized the hypothermia induced by reserpine, oxotremorine, or a high dose of apomorphine.

• 4.

  4. As this antagonistic effect is also shared by the tricyclic or MAOI antidepressants as well as by beta-adrenergic stimulants, it is suggested that lithium could act as an anti-depressant by increasing the release of noradrenaline.