[Effect of lithium on the central serotonin- and adrenergic processes after its chronic administration]

With its chronic administration in a dose of 100 mg/kg lithium carbonate inhibited shaking of the head induced in mice with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). This effect did not differ from the action following a single injection of lithium, when the interval between injection of lithium and of 5-HTP was one hour. With the interval lengthened to 24 hours the frequency of shaking diminished only under the effect of chronic administration. At the 5th, 10th and 21st day of a daily administration lithium failed to produce any effect on the hypothermal action of a reserpine-like agent Po 4-1284, but would reduce the protective action of imipramine in a ptosis test. A single injection of lithium made against the background of a chronic injection of water produced an opposite effect, viz. it significantly reduced the protective action of imipramine in hypothermia, but did not affect it with reference to ptosis. Hence, chronic administration of lithium leads to potentiation in its action of the serotonin-negative and central adreno-negative componets and to extenuating the peripheral adreno-negative component.