Effect of lithium on the dynamics of electroencephalographic vigilance in healthy subjects

Eleven healthy male volunteers had EEG recordings before lithium, after 10 days of lithium administration and 2 weeks after discontinuation of lithium. As postulated from previous investigations the typical lithium effect on the dynamics of electroencephalographic vigilance proved to consist of: (1) a decrease of non-alpha segments, i.e., an increase of alpha continuity or an enhancement of alpha activity; (2) an increase of the anterior/posterior ratio of absolute alpha power (AQ); (3) a decrease of the dynamic variability of this alpha anteriorization (CV-AQ). In addition the decrease of dynamic variability of alpha anteriorization was found to be associated with an increase in the amplitude of P1/N1 components of auditory evoked potentials.