Anabolic effect of lithium in rat brain as a side effect of a part of its psychotropic action

ABSTRACT

Administration of lithium to normal rats at two dose levels showed a significant decrease in brain contents of GABA tryptophane, tyrosine and histidine. On the other hand brain contents of glutamine and asparagine showed a significant increase, accompanied by a decrease in their precursors aspartic and glutamic acids, respectively. This observed anabolic effect of lithium in brain by increasing its glutamine and asparagine contents could give a substantial evidence for its psychotropic action in brain. The significant decrease in brain contents of tryptophane, tyrosine and histidine without an increase in brain dopamine and histamine supports our statement that lithium plays an anabolic role in brain