title: A possible physiochemical explanation for the psychotherapeutic role of lithium.
abstract: Manic-depressive psychosis could result from degradation of lipids in some neuronic membranes. This degradation could lead to fatty acids, which when ionized in the external medium would definitely disappear. If this medium contains Li+, a poorly soluble precipitate would be formed with the fatty anions. This precipitate, impermeable to its formative ions would slow down the dissipation of the fatty acids and thus facilitate the resynthesis of the original lipids. Ca++ cations being divalent could not play the same role.
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008094:Lithium
vernacular_title: Une possible explication physicochimique du rŏle psychothérapeutique du lithium.