Abstract
When lithium carbonate is administered to individuals, there is considerable intersubject variation in the extent of accumulation of Li+ by erythrocytes. The primary reason for this is differences in the activity of a Li+-Na+ counterflow system, which, under clinical conditions, removes Li+ from the cell. It appears that some bipolar patients accumulate more Li+ in their red cells than either unipolar depressives or normal controls. The precise clinical characteristics of the bipolar patients who accumulate relatively large amounts of erythrocyte Li+ need to be clarified in future research. Finally, the measurement of red cell concentrations of Li+ in addition to the usual plasma measurement, can be used as an indicator of patient compliance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1065-1069 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Unknown Journal |
Volume | 135 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1978 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health