Effects of acute lithium administration on conditioned avoidance behavior and monoamine synthesis in rats

The effect of a single injection of various doses of lithium chloride was tested on conditioned avoidance behavior and on the accumulation of DOPA and 5-HTP after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. Lithium specifically suppressed conditioned avoidance behavior and reduced formation of DOPA, but not 5-HTP. The behavioral effect of lithium could be completely antagonized with additional L-DOPA treatment. The results indicate that lithium has a neuroleptlike effect on avoidance behavior, and it is suggested that some of the behavioral effects of lithium may be mediated via interference with central catecholaminergic mechanisms.