[Effect of lithium on the energy metabolism of nervous tissue]

Lithium (0.5--4 mM) either significantly increase, either completely normalizers the intensity of the oxidative and energy metabolism of the brain mitochondria, decreased by the influence of the blood serum of patients with manic-depressive psychosis and attack like schizophrenia. At the same time lithium gives an insignificant increase in the intensity of processes of phosphorilation in cases of an action of the blood serum of patients with a continuous development of schizophrenia. Processes of phosphorilation become normalized in a joint action on the mitochondria by lithium and antioxidants. In the process of phosphorilation in comparison with the blood serum of patients who do not receive this preparation. It is assumed that an increase in the intensity of the energy metabolism is one of the mechanisms of therapeutical and prophylactic action of lithium.