The effect of lithium upon brain neuroamines

Abstract Rats received lithium carbonate in their chow for 14 days, and attained plasma levels of lithium of 0.5–1.0 mequiv./1. Under these conditions, no alterations from controls could be demonstrated in either the absolute levels of brain norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine; or in the rate of metabolism of these neuromediators. This suggests that lithium may produce its therapeutic effects through means other than the general modulation of these systems in brain.