[Current hypotheses on the mechanism of action of lithium. I. Lithium and neuromediators]

Abstract

This paper intends to survey, clarify and organize the recent advances of research on the central action mechanism of lithium. A brief introduction relates the cation's "medical history" and analyses the evolution of what is known and hypothesized about various categories of psychotropics. In this article the metabolism of neuromediators and its disturbances are the subject of a detailed study. First reviewed is recent work concerning the aminergic theories of depression. Most of the other neuromediator systems are the subject of specific research projects and of these, the GABAergic hypothesis seems the most promising to date.