C. Vargas et al., DISSIMILAR EFFECTS OF LITHIUM AND VALPROIC ACID ON GABA AND GLUTAMINECONCENTRATIONS IN RAT CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID, General pharmacology, 30(4), 1998, pp. 601-604
1. This study compared the effects of the antimanic drugs, lithium and
valproic acid, on GABA and glutamine CSF concentration and on head-sh
akes during hyponatremia. 2. Hyponatremic and normonatremic rats were
treated with 2 mEq/kg lithium and 360 mg/kg valproic acid. Behavioral
observation was conducted for 120 min after which blood and CSF collec
tion were performed under anesthesia. 3. Peritoneal dialysis with gluc
ose induced moderate hyponatremia and doubled glutamine CSF concentrat
ions. Both lithium and valproic acid significantly increased GABA CSF
levels in normonatremic and hyponatremic animals. Valproic acid induce
d head-shakes and increased CSF glutamine concentration. 4. The result
s suggest that both antimanic drugs have similar effects on GABA, but
lithium is preferred if the increase in glutamine concentration poses
a problem, either in the presence or absence of hyponatremia. (C) 1998
Elsevier Science Inc.