Cell membrane anomaly in genetically determined manic-depressive illness

A group of 25 pairs of monozygotic twins has been investigated for twin concordance in relation to affective illness and lithium erythrocyte/plasma ratios. Lithium ratios are significantly greater in twins concordant for affective illness as compared to discordant twins, suggesting the presence of a membrane anomaly as a possible vulnerability factor in subjects genetically predisposed to affective illness.