title: The Na,K-ATPase hypothesis for manic-depression. II. The mechanism of action of lithium.
abstract: A model as to how lithium may work in the treatment and prevention of manic-depression is presented. Lithium accumulates intracellularly, and accumulates preferentially in more active neurons. Intracellular accumulation of lithium displaces intracellular sodium, which, in turn, decreases intracellular calcium. A decrease of intracellular calcium normalizes neuron activity in both mania and depression. This model is supported by the majority of clinical and experimental data.
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005934:Glucagon / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008094:Lithium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon; D008094:Lithium; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D002118:Calcium