ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Lithium carbonate
;
Plasma renin activity
;
Endogenous depression
;
Sodium balance
;
Norepinephrine system
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured in the supine position and after active upright stance in patients with endogenous depression and in a group of healthy volunteers serving as controls. In the depressed patients, PRA was further investigated in the same conditions during treatment with increasing doses of lithium carbonate. Basal PRA values were lower in depressed patients than in normal controls, particularly in the upright stance, and tended to rise gradually during lithium therapy. These findings suggest that lithium may work as a stimulant of the reninangiotensin system, and possibly as an antidepressant, by way of producing functional activation of the norepinephrine system independent of its action on the water and electrolyte balance.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00429057
Permalink