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Lithium Restores Abnormal Platelet 5-HT Transport in Patients with Affective Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Alec Coppen
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, KT19 8PB, Surrey
Cynthia Swade
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, KT19 8PB, Surrey
Keith Wood
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, KT19 8PB, Surrey

Summary

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.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1980 

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