Lithium administration antagonizes cholinergic behavioral effects in rodents.
Physostigmine, a centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitor, antagonizes methylphenidate-induced stereotyped gnawing behavior in mice and rats. This effect is significantly attenuated when lithium chloride is concurrently administered, indicating that lithium chloride may antagonize central cholinergic activity. This observation may have theoretical implications for an adrenergic-cholinergic balance hypothesis of affective disorders.
D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D008774:Methylphenidate; D010830:Physostigmine