Lithium restores abnormal platelet 5-HT transport in patients with affective disorders.
Kinetic analysis of the transport of 5-HT into the blood platelets of depressed patients and recovered depressive patients has shown that the rate of accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is significantly decreased both before and after recovery from the illness. This abnormality is corrected by both short and long-term lithium treatment. As a corollary to these studies, the effect of lithium in vitro on 5-HT uptake has been studied and the results are opposite to those reported in vivo. These findings suggest that lithium acts indirectly, and possible mechanisms of its action are discussed.
D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
D012701:Serotonin; D008094:Lithium