5-HT uptake in platelets of lithium-treated patients with affective disorders and of healthy controls.
There is strong evidence that platelet 5-HT uptake is reduced during depressive illness, yet it is an open question whether this abnormality can be reverted to normal by successful treatment. The effect of longterm lithium treatment (> 2 years of continuous therapy) on 5-HT uptake of 37 euthymic affective patients without relevant additional medication was investigated. There was no difference in 5-HT uptake kinetics between the whole group of patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The subgroups of unipolar patients and patients with minor recurrences during prophylaxis tended to have lower Vmax values of 5-HT uptake. The results generally support the hypothesis of a relationship between successful lithium treatment and normalization of 5-HT uptake.
Thies-Flechtner
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
Weigel
I
I
Müller-Oerlinghausen
B
B
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
D012701:Serotonin; D008094:Lithium