ON THE FUNCTIONS OF LITHIUM - THE MOOD STABILIZER

Lithium, despite its simple structure, has numerous biological effects . It also has a remarkable therapeutic effect in the prophylactic trea tment of manic depression, and is finding a role in controlling aggres sive and self-mutilating behavior. The special feature of lithium is t hat it only acts on overactive systems to bring them back to normal, w ithout affecting the stable system. The mechanisms of action of this s imple cation are still largely unknown although the inositol depletion theory is the most widely accepted model. A recent paper((1)) describ ed a different molecular mechanism for its effect on development, whic h may also explain its action in manic depression.