title: [Effects of lithium on learning, memory, and mood (author's transl)].
abstract: In a double-blind study the effects of a 14-day lithium medication (dosage: 24 mval/d to 36 mval/d) were investigated. The subjects were 24 healthy male volunteers. The effect of lithium on their mood, ability to learn nouns, and memory of the words learnt was measured after 2 h and 14 days. In spite of a relatively low mean plasma lithium level on the 14th day (0.54 +/- 0.15 mmol/l), the lithium volunteers assessed themselves after 2 weeks of treatment as significantly less relaxed, less active, less socially involved, more bored, and more tired than the placebo group. As to learning, the lithium group showed only a slight impairment of performance compared to the placebo group. As to memory, there was only a significant difference in free recall over two weeks: the lithium group remembered fewer words than the placebo group. Additional motivation of free recall over 2 h was uneffective. It is discussed whether lithium changes spontaneous initial action and thereby the will to act. This could be interpreted as a change in the production of the characteristics of experience and behaviour.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D008094:Lithium
vernacular_title: Einfluss von Lithium auf Lernen, Erinnern und Befindlichkeit.